Barcelona mounted a jaw-dropping comeback to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 and move seven points clear at the top of LaLiga in a season-defining moment.
Hansi Flick’s side found themselves 3-1 down at home after Borja Iglesias’ hat-trick before rallying in sensational fashion to score a winner right at the death.
A penalty was awarded by VAR in the 98th minute after a foul on Dani Olmo and Raphinha held his nerve to blast his spot-kick high into the net.
Now rapidly closing in on the title, Barcelona celebrated the dramatic victory wildly and Flick – typically ice-cool on the touchline – raced over to hug his side’s hero.
Real Madrid are in action against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in their game in hand and a Clasico showdown still awaits in May, but the manner of Barcelona’s fightback has seen some supporters cheekily label it their very own ‘remontada’.
Madrid, of course, crashed out of the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek after a 5-1 aggregate humbling at the hands of Arsenal.
Raphinha scored a last-gasp winner as Barcelona fought back to beat Celta Vigo 4-3
Hansi Flick rushed over to celebrate with his side’s hero after they moved seven points clear
Raphinha kept his cool to convert from the penalty spot in the 98th minute of the game
Ferran Torres made the breakthrough for the Blaugrana on 12 minutes after drilling one into the corner but Celta quickly hit back, stunning the hosts.
Pablo Duran’s delivery was turned in by Iglesias from close range after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s attempts to bat the cross away fell short.
There would be further pain for Barcelona when a mistake from Frenkie de Jong allowed Iglesias to drive low beyond Szczesny shortly after half-time.
In need of the points, the league leaders began to throw bodies forward but they were caught out on the breakaway just 10 minutes later. Sergio Carreira slotted Iglesias behind the backline and he scampered into space before tucking into the net.
Flick turned to his bench and his substitutes helped to inspire the turnaround.
Given a new lease of life by Lamine Yamal and Olmo, Barcelona pulled one goal back when Raphinha teed up the latter to beat Vicente Guaita.
Just four minutes later, Raphinha himself got on the scoresheet for the equaliser, heading home after Yamal crossed into the box from the right-hand side.
There was still time for one final twist and Barcelona were awarded their game-deciding penalty after a VAR review, Olmo having been clattered by Yoel Lago.
With Robert Lewandowski taken off with an apparent hamstring issue, Raphinha took responsibility and hammered the ball into the top-right corner.
