Image proof: Celta Vigo defender escaped clear red card offence against Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona dropped two crucial points in their away match against Celta de Vigo, which was marred by a disappointing final stretch.

The team faltered in the last few minutes, with Marc Casado being sent off and Jules Kounde missing an opportunity to prevent the first local goal.

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

Oscar Mingueza is the culprit

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

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 hard and reckless manner.

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

Had the referee acted differently, the match could have taken a very different turn. A potential red card for Mingueza could have left Celta de Vigo with one less player, which might have allowed Barcelona to hold onto their lead.

Not an excuse

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

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

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

With the team facing more important challenges ahead, this performance will need to be a turning point for better focus and execution.