Raphinha's 98th-minute penalty secured a thrilling 4-3 victory for Barcelona against Celta Vigo on Saturday as they moved seven points clear of La Liga title rivals Real Madrid.
The league leaders were quick to open the scoring at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys following a fine solo effort from Ferran Torres, but Barcelona's plucky visitors were deservedly level at the half-time whistle as Borja Iglesias converted from close range at the end of a swift breakaway.
Celta's towering centre-forward proved the thorn in Barcelona's side once again after the break and had completed his hat-trick within 17 minutes of the restart. Two expert finishes exposed a disorganised defensive line, with Frenkie de Jong culpable for gifting the visitors their second of the afternoon.
But Barcelona refused to accept defeat and within six minutes had produced a stunning comeback to level proceedings. Quick-fire strikes from substitute Dani Olmo and the effervescent Raphinha brought the hosts back into the action, setting up a finely-poised finale.
The hosts pushed frantically for a winning goal and eventually grabbed it as VAR awarded a penalty for Yoel Lago's challenge on Olmo in stoppage-time, with Raphinha coolly converting from the spot to secure a hugely important victory for Hansi Flick's side.
Barcelona player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Wojciech Szczesny | 6.1/10 |
RB: Jules Kounde | 6.5/10 |
CB: Pau Cubarsi | 6.3/10 |
CB: Inigo Martinez | 7.5/10 |
LB: Gerard Martin | 6.4/10 |
DM: Frenkie de Jong | 8.1/10 |
DM: Pedri | 8.6/10 |
RW: Raphinha | 9.6/10 |
AM: Fermin Lopez | 6.9/10 |
LW: Ferran Torres | 8.1/10 |
ST: Robert Lewandowski | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Lamine Yamal (59' for Torres) | 7.6/10 |
SUB: Dani Olmo (59' for Lopez) | 8.6/10 |
SUB: Gavi (78' for Lewandowski) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Eric Garcia (87' for Cubarsi) | N/A |
SUB: Pau Victor (87' for Martin) | N/A |
Subs not used: Diego Kochen (GK), Inaki Pena (GK), Andreas Christensen, Hector Fort, Ronald Araujo, Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati.
Celta Vigo player ratings (4-1-4-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Vicente Guaita | 4.4/10 |
RB: Javi Rodriguez | 5.4/10 |
CB: Yoel Lago | 6.3/10 |
CB: Marcos Alonso | 7.5/10 |
LB: Sergio Carreira | 6.9/10 |
DM: Fran Beltran | 6.1/10 |
RM: Pablo Duran | 7.3/10 |
CM: Ilaix Moriba | 7.5/10 |
CM: Iker Losada | 6.1/10 |
LM: Williot Swedberg | 6.2/10 |
ST: Borja Iglesias | 9.6/10 |
SUB: Oscar Mingueza (46' for Losada) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Alfon Gonzalez (60' for Swedberg) | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Iago Aspas (74' for Iglesias) | 5.9/10 |
SUB: Fer Lopez (74' for Duran) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Hugo Sotelo (89' for Moriba) | N/A |
Subs not used: Ivan Villar (GK), Carlos Dominguez, Jailson, Damian Rodriguez, Franco Cervi, Hugo Alvarez, Mihailo Ristic.
Player of the match: Raphinha (Barcelona)
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