Picture proof: Celta Vigo defender escaped a clear red card against Barcelona

Barcelona lost two crucial points in their away match against Celta de Vigowhich was spoiled by a disappointing final straight.

The team faltered in the final minutes, with Marc Casado being sent off and Jules Kounde missing a chance to prevent the home side’s first goal.

Unfortunately, Barcelona’s hopes of securing all three points were dashed when Celta scored a second goal, sealing the tie.

Oscar Mingueza is the culprit

Although Barcelona’s performance throughout the match was not up to their usual standards, there were moments that could have changed the result.

One such moment came in the 40th minute when Oscar Mingueza committed a dangerous foul on Raphinha. With Barcelona leading 1-0, Mingueza stomped on Raphinha’s ankle in a harsh and reckless manner.

The referee initially did not make a decision and the VAR did not intervene to review the action, despite the seriousness of the foul. The tackle endangered Raphinha’s physical well-being, with the studs digging into the back of his ankle.

If the referee had acted differently, the match could have taken a completely different turn. A possible red card for Mingueza could have left Celta de Vigo with one less player, which could have allowed Barcelona to maintain their lead.

Not an excuse

However, this incident cannot be used as an excuse for the team’s overall performance, especially in the closing stages of the match. Barcelona were guilty of several lapses in concentration, leading to mistakes that ultimately cost them victory.

The team’s inability to effectively close out the match left a bitter taste, and the dropped points will certainly be seen as a missed opportunity.

Despite flashes of quality, Barcelona must focus on correcting their mistakes and improving their composure in such crucial moments in the future.

As the team faces greater challenges ahead, this performance will need to be a turning point for better focus and execution.