In a thrilling match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Barcelona pulled off a stunning comeback against Celta Vigo, winning 4-3 in dramatic fashion. The victory, secured with a last-minute penalty, solidified Barcelona's position at the top of La Liga, now boasting a seven-point lead over their closest rivals, Real Madrid. This match took place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, as part of the 32nd round of the Spanish league.
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Rafinha was the hero of the night, scoring a crucial goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time, confirming the win with a penalty awarded after a VAR review. The match saw Barcelona initially fall behind, as Celta's Borja Iglesias netted a hat-trick with goals in the 15th, 52nd, and 62nd minutes. However, Barcelona fought back with goals from Ferran Torres, who opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and substitute Dani Olmo, who equalized in the 68th minute before Rafinha sealed the deal.
With this win, Barcelona raised their points tally to 73, putting them firmly in first place and creating a significant gap between them and Real Madrid, who are set to face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Real Madrid, the defending champions, are eager to rebound from their recent exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal and are looking to maintain their domestic title.
Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance despite the challenges posed by Celta. "This is football; we wanted to win badly. Perhaps we weren’t at our best at the start of the match, but the team's reaction and the support from the fans... we deserved to win," he said. Olmo, who played a pivotal role in the comeback, echoed this sentiment, stating, "These three points bring us closer to our goal; they are very important, and we need to keep this momentum going."
Celta Vigo, on the other hand, remains in seventh place with 43 points, a position that keeps their hopes alive for European competition next season. They last reached a European semi-final in the 2016-2017 season and are eager to replicate that success. Celta's coach, Pablo Duran, lamented the missed opportunity, saying, "It’s a bitter feeling... we scored three goals, which is rare here, but due to small details, we let the chance slip away."
Injuries are becoming a concern for Barcelona, particularly with their star striker Robert Lewandowski, who leads La Liga with 25 goals. Lewandowski left the match in the 78th minute with a hamstring issue, and local media reports suggest he could be sidelined for up to three weeks. Flick commented on the situation, stating, "We are waiting... from my experience, I expect that we will wait until tomorrow to know more about his condition." This injury could jeopardize Lewandowski's participation in crucial upcoming matches, including the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan and the King's Cup final against Real Madrid on April 26.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano struggled to find their form, settling for a 1-1 draw against Valencia. Rayo took the lead through an own goal by Valencia's Cesar Tariga just before halftime, but Valencia equalized in the 75th minute with a goal from Nigerian substitute Omar Sadiq. This marks the third consecutive match where Rayo has failed to secure all three points, having lost their previous two matches against Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao. They currently sit in eighth place with 43 points.
Valencia's three-match winning streak was halted with this draw, leaving them with 38 points in 14th place. They had previously celebrated victories over Real Mallorca, Real Madrid, and Sevilla, but could not continue their momentum against Rayo. The match was an opportunity for both teams to gain valuable points as they approach the final stretch of the season.
As the La Liga season progresses, the stakes continue to rise. Barcelona looks to maintain their lead and secure the title, while Celta Vigo aims to clinch a European spot. With Real Madrid hot on their heels and other teams like Rayo Vallecano and Valencia looking to improve their standings, the competition is fierce.
Looking ahead, Barcelona's upcoming matches will be critical. The team must navigate injuries and maintain their winning mentality as they aim for glory in both the domestic league and cup competitions. The excitement of La Liga is palpable, and with each match, the drama unfolds further.
In conclusion, Barcelona's remarkable comeback against Celta Vigo not only highlights their resilience but also sets the stage for an intense final phase of the season. With the King's Cup final looming and the league title within reach, the Catalan giants are determined to finish the season on a high note.
