Raphinha Late Penalty Seals Wild Barcelona 4-3 Celta Vigo Comeback

Barcelona dig deep as Raphinha snatches keywords win in dramatic fashion

In a game that had everything—goals, controversy, and a late twist worthy of a Hollywood script—Barcelona emerged from the chaos at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with a breathless 4-3 victory over a spirited Celta Vigo side. And at the heart of it all was Raphinha, whose ice-cold penalty in the 98th minute rescued all three points for the La Liga leaders and sent a defiant message to the chasing pack.

For long spells, it looked like this would be a night of regret and frustration for Hansi Flick’s men. Barcelona found themselves 3-1 down just past the hour mark, shellshocked by a clinical Borja Iglesias hat-trick that turned the match on its head after Ferran Torres had opened the scoring early on.

But what followed was a comeback built on belief, persistence, and just a dash of luck—thanks, in no small part, to VAR.

Celta Vigo’s counter-punch leaves Barca reeling

Barcelona mount comeback to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 in LaLiga

Celta Vigo didn’t come to Camp Nou to roll over. While Barcelona were expected to handle business at home and continue their march toward another domestic crown, Rafa Benítez’s visitors clearly had other ideas.

The tone was set early on when Ferran Torres calmly slotted home the opener after only seven minutes, finishing a flowing move that suggested this might be a routine night for the Catalan giants. But Celta had no intention of being a footnote.

Borja Iglesias, full of intent and confidence, equalised midway through the first half and then stunned the crowd by completing his hat-trick before the hour. His second came via a powerful header that left Marc-André ter Stegen with no chance, and his third was a composed finish after a mistake in Barca’s midfield gave Celta a chance to break at pace.

Suddenly, Barcelona were in deep trouble—3-1 down, the crowd restless, and Real Madrid surely licking their lips at the unfolding drama.

Flick rolls the dice—and it pays off

BARCELONA 4-3 CELTA VIGO, LA LIGA 2024/25

Faced with the very real prospect of a rare home defeat, Flick turned to his bench and demanded urgency. The response was electric. Within four minutes, Barcelona were level.

Dani Olmo gave the hosts a lifeline with a precise strike from the edge of the area after 81 minutes, sparking belief back into the stands. Then, Raphinha popped up just minutes later, calmly guiding the ball home from close range after a scramble in the box to make it 3-3.

The equaliser brought an eruption of noise across Montjuïc, and suddenly, all momentum was with Barcelona. Still, Celta held firm as the match ticked into stoppage time. A point at this stage would’ve been considered a hard-earned reward for their efforts.

But Barcelona, like all great sides, had one last trick up their sleeve.

VAR drama leads to Raphinha’s decisive moment

With just seconds left on the clock, Dani Olmo made a late surge into the Celta penalty area. From the stands, it looked innocuous—but replays told a different story. A dangling leg caught Olmo as he tried to burst past, and after a tense VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.

It was a cruel blow for Celta, who had defended valiantly after surrendering their two-goal advantage. But for Barcelona, it was the opening they needed. Raphinha, having already scored once, took responsibility.

In the 98th minute, the Brazilian stepped up and drilled his penalty low into the corner, just out of reach of Vicente Guaita. Ecstasy for Barcelona. Agony for Celta Vigo.

Barcelona stretch their lead with vital keywords victory

This was a match that showcased both the brilliance and the vulnerability of Flick’s Barcelona. The attacking talent is undeniable, with players like Olmo, Torres, and Raphinha capable of unlocking any defence. But the defensive lapses and susceptibility to counters remain a concern.

Still, when the dust settled, all that mattered was the scoreboard—and that told a tale of resilience. The 4-3 win temporarily stretched Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to seven points ahead of Real Madrid’s Sunday fixture against Athletic Club. For now, they’ve done their part.

Flick will know there’s work to be done, particularly at the back. But if you’re going to win titles, you need to find a way to win even when you’re not at your best. Barcelona did exactly that.

And for Raphinha? It was a night that cemented his reputation as a man for the big moments. In a season full of keywords turning points, this might just be one of the biggest yet.