Barcelona concede two goals in extra time in 5-3 loss to Villarreal | OneFootball

Barcelona were denied a late penalty by VAR in a 3-5 loss against Villarreal on Saturday night, just before the visitors scored two late goals deep into stoppage time to pile on the misery. The loss sees the Bluagrana drop further behind in the La Liga title race, with them now 10 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Xavi's side needed a win to keep up with Los Blancos after their rivals beat Las Palmas 2-1 on the road to go top of the table. But disaster struck as Barca fell two goals behind after Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach found the back of the net.

The hosts fought their way back into the tie, thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and then Pedri, before they then took the lead on the night thanks to an own goal from Eric Bailly. However, they then conceded yet another goal, with Goncalo Guedes getting Villarreal's third.

Xavi shouts at camera after Barcelona denied penalty

Manager was furious after wanting spot kick for handball

Barcelona then thought they had the chance to win the game late on when a penalty was awarded after midfielder Santi Comesana seemingly handled the ball inside the penalty area. The referee initially gave the spot kick, but VAR stepped in, asking the official to review the decision.

A look at the monitor was enough to change the referee's mind. However, that didn't go down well with Barcelona manager Xavi, who believed his side had been wronged.

The coach was furious, turning around in disbelief before going up to one of the pitchside cameras and shouting something to people watching at home. It turned out he was calling the decision, "Una vergüenza," or an embarrassment.

Villarreal score two late goals to win game

Loss was Barcelona's third in five matches

However, a late penalty being denied turned out to be the least of Xavi's worries. Villarreal then took the lead in the 99th minute thanks to a late goal from Alexander Sorloth, after some sloppy defending from Barcelona's players. Giving possession away inside the box, some pingball inside the area led to the ball falling to the Norwegian, who slotted it away.

To rub more salt into the wounds, the Yellow Submarine then added a fifth in the 102nd minute. Breaking from inside their own half as Barcelona players piled forward, the ball was pulled back to Jose Luis Morales on the edge, who cooly took a touch and slotted the ball beyond Inaki Pena.

Defeat for Xavi's side means that they have now lost three out of their last five matches, with a gap of 10 points between them and Real Madrid. Any hope of the Catalan giants retaining their La Liga crown look very slim at this point.

Xavi slams officials

"Even the fourth referee tells me that it's a clear penalty."

Another loss only increases pressure on Xavi, especially after Barcelona's embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier in January. Prior to the match, he had even admitted that his Barcelona career is, "closer to the end than the start."

Whistles were heard around the stadium from the home supporters after the game, indicating that some could be losing faith in the club legend. However, midfielder Frenkie De Jong was quick to defend his boss, insisting that the players were behind him.

Xavi took responsibility for the result, but insisted that his side should have had a penalty. Speaking after the game, he said that even the fourth official thought it should have been a penalty.

Xavi has since confirmed that he will be leaving the club in June 2024 following the result. Between now and then, he will hope to guide Barcelona back into the title picture and hope to succeed in the Champions League. They are next in action against Osasuna on Wednesday 31st January.