Penalty debate reignites after Celta forward recounts clash with Barcelona defender – ‘He has a problem with me’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo was one of the most gripping games of the season, packed with goals, emotion and an electric finish. However, the result has not been accepted quietly by the visiting side.

Several players from Celta Vigo have raised concerns about key incidents in the match, particularly decisions made by the referee that they believe impacted the final outcome.

One of the biggest talking points came late in the match when the score was tied at 3-3. Celta’s Pablo Duran found himself racing toward the goal after getting the better of Inigo Martinez.

The young forward looked set for a one-on-one with Wojciech Szczesny when Martinez pulled him back, halting his run. Despite the contact, referee Melero Lopez chose not to stop play, and there was no intervention from VAR either.

Controversy over missed call sparks frustration

After the match, Duran did not hold back in expressing his frustration. According to him, the Barcelona defender himself admitted the contact and even suggested that had Duran gone to ground, it might have resulted in a penalty.

“Inigo has a problem with me: he grabs me when I go one-on-one against the goalkeeper, and he himself tells me that if I dive, it’s a penalty. When I go to the referee, he tells me otherwise,” he said after the game, as quoted by AS.

The forward’s comments have only intensified debate over officiating in the match. From Celta’s perspective, it was a moment that could have changed the game entirely.

While Barcelona were full value for their comeback, the complaints from the opposition show that not everyone is satisfied with how things unfolded.

Even so, the Catalans will feel they showed character and determination to come back from a difficult position, and this fighting spirit will serve them well in the rest of the title race