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Barcelona’s grip on the top of La Liga was tested on Saturday as they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Celta Vigo at Balaídos. Goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski appeared to put Barca in control, but a late collapse following Marc Casado’s red card cost them victory.
The match saw Barcelona extend their unbeaten run to 14 league games but exposed vulnerabilities in the absence of 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal, sidelined by injury. Manager Hansi Flick had urged his team to adapt without the winger, and for much of the match, they looked poised to deliver.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 15th minute, converting a lofted pass from Jules Kounde. Lewandowski doubled the lead after the hour mark, netting his 15th league goal of the season, cementing his place as La Liga’s top scorer.
Barcelona, however, failed to close the game. Raphinha hit the post, and Inaki Pena made several key saves to keep Celta at bay. But the momentum shifted in the 82nd minute when Casado was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on former Barca midfielder Ilaix Moriba.
Celta capitalised immediately. Alfonso Gonzalez dispossessed Kounde in Barcelona’s box and slotted past Pena to halve the deficit. Just two minutes later, Hugo Alvarez cut in from the right and fired home the equaliser, sending the home fans into raptures.
Despite the setback, Barcelona remain five points clear of Atletico Madrid, with third-placed Real Madrid playing their game in hand on Sunday. Celta Vigo, sitting 11th, celebrated their strong record against Barcelona at Balaídos, having snatched another result in dramatic fashion.
Flick will be keen to regroup his side as they look to maintain their lead atop La Liga.
