Barcelona’s hopes of securing a comfortable lead against Celta Vigo were dashed in the 55th minute when Ferran Torres’ stunning volley was ruled out for offside following a VAR intervention by Carlos del Cerro Grande.
The goal, which came after a pinpoint pass from Pedri, initially appeared to put Barcelona 2-0 ahead. However, del Cerro Grande swiftly advised referee José Luis Munuera Montero to overturn the on-field decision, citing an alleged offside position by Torres at the moment of the pass.
Replays broadcast during the match showed Torres seemingly level with Celta defender Marcos Alonso when receiving the ball, sparking immediate debate over the accuracy of the offside call. Despite the visual evidence suggesting a marginal or non-existent infringement, the VAR review stood, and the goal was disallowed.
The incident quickly drew comparisons to a similar controversy involving Torres just days earlier, when another of his goals was canceled due to a marginal offside decision. Barcelona players and staff expressed visible frustration, with Gavi noting after the match that the situation felt “inevitable” given the recent precedent.
Del Cerro Grande’s involvement as VAR official reignited concerns among Barcelona supporters, given his history in high-profile decisions affecting the club. His previous assignment as VAR in Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad in January included two pivotal interventions that influenced the outcome, further fueling perceptions of a troubling pattern.
Amid the controversy, Torres used the moment to honor María Caamaño, the young cancer patient known as the “Princess Warrior” who recently passed away. After the goal was disallowed, Torres revealed a message on his undershirt reading, “Tu luz seguirá brillando siempre en nosotros. Descansa en paz, María,” a tribute that resonated widely across social media and drew praise for its poignancy.
The match itself was temporarily halted earlier due to a medical emergency involving a spectator in the stands, adding to an already tumultuous evening at Camp Nou. Play resumed after approximately 15 minutes before the Torres incident occurred.
Barcelona ultimately failed to capitalize on their chances, and the disallowed goal proved pivotal in a match where fine margins dictated the flow. Celta held firm defensively, and the visitors left with a point that felt like a victory given the circumstances.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will look to regroup as they prepare for their next LaLiga fixture. The focus will shift to maintaining consistency in performance while navigating the ongoing scrutiny surrounding VAR decisions in critical moments.
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