Published : Monday, 21 April, 2025 at 12:00 AM Count : 300
BARCELONA, APRIL 20: Barcelona pulled off a stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 on Saturday and move seven points clear of Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.
The Catalans trailed 3-1 inside the final half-hour after a Borja Iglesias hat-trick for the visitors, but Dani Olmo scored and then Raphinha equalised before he snatched victory with a 98th minute penalty to snatch three essential points for the leaders.
Reigning champions Real Madrid, second, host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, with a Clasico showdown still to come in May.
"This attitude, this mentality of not giving up, is really great to see... we tried everything to get the three points and we did it," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told reporters.
However Flick said striker Robert Lewandowski needed tests after coming off with an apparent hamstring problem, making him a doubt for the Copa del Rey final next weekend against rivals Real Madrid, and putting a question mark over his involvement in the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
"From my experience we wait until tomorrow (and the tests)," said Flick, who did not want to rule out the club's top scorer too quickly.
The coach, who railed against his team's intense schedule on Friday, rested teenage star Lamine Yamal for the first time in 2025, although he was later needed from the bench after Iglesias' treble.
The Catalans took the lead after 12 minutes when Ferran Torres strolled into space and with the defence standing off, drilled past Vicente Guaita from the edge of the box.
Celta Vigo swiftly hit back, skewering Barcelona's high defensive line three minutes later with Pablo Duran crossing for Iglesias to roll home.
Celta, eighth and in contention for European football next season, were finding plenty of joy going forward.
Claudio Giraldez's team took the lead early in the second half after a mistake by Frenkie de Jong allowed Iglesias to drive a low effort beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny.
With Barcelona on the attack Celta hit them again with Iglesias galloping through and firing home with ease. �"AFP
