Sports Desk, Feb 18 (EFE).- Robert Lewandowski scored from a dramatic late penalty to hand Barcelona a lifeline in the Spanish LaLiga as they beat Celta Vigo 1-2 on Saturday to retain their third position in the table.
Lewandowski also scored the opening goal for Barcelona, but the defending champions seemed headed for yet another frustrating draw after Iago Aspas equalized for Celta early into the second half.
Lewandowski and VAR saved Barca’s night after referee Pulido Santana pointed out the spot in the dying seconds following a kick by Fran Beltran on Lamine Yamal in an attempt to clear the ball.
The Pole’s initial effort from the penalty was saved by Vicente Guaita, but VAR showed that the Celta keeper was well off his line, prompting the referee to order a retake.
Lewandowski made no mistake this time to convert his shot, his 50th goal for Barcelona.
The goal gave the LaLiga holders three vital points and protected their morale ahead of the Champions League knockout contest against Napoli in a few days.
Celta’s Balaidos has been anything but a happy hunting ground for Barcelona in recent years, with just one win from the last eight visits.
The opportunity for them was hard to come by again until Lewandowski conjured up a goal at the end of the first half following an assist from the ever-impressive Yamal.
Celta coach Benítez imposed his style of direct football on a counterattack and was rewarded at the beginning of the second half as Aspas scored for the hosts.
Iago Aspas had scored more goals against Barça than any other currently active player, and he proved to be throne again after former Barça man Oscar Mingueza provided him with an assist.
“This victory is very good for our morale, for confidence, for belief. It is an important step, not only in victory,” said Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez.
“The team has been growing I think we have seen a good Barça, especially in the first half. In the second half we suffered more due to a mismatch on our part.”
The win took Barca within two points of second-placed Girona with 54 points from 25 matches.
Atletico Madrid remained hot on the heels with 52 points after mauling Las Palmas 5-0 on the same day, with Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa scoring braces each and Memphis Depay adding a goal. EFE
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