BREAKING NEWS: Celta Vigo coach Claudio Giráldez has admitted that his team could have beaten Barcelona, but one exceptional player made the difference. “We had a real chance to win, but they’ve got the best player in the world… He did things we’ve never seen before in football. If I had him on my team, we’d be leading the league by now,” Giráldez said, singling out one Barcelona star whose brilliance denied them victory in their last match.

On a dramatic Saturday afternoon at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona staged a breathtaking 4-3 comeback win over Celta Vigo in a LaLiga fixture on April 19, 2025. The Catalan giants appeared to be heading for defeat, trailing 3-1 with just half an hour left on the clock.

However, Dani Olmo stepped up as the unlikely match-winner, delivering a performance that completely shifted the game’s momentum and solidified Barcelona’s lead at the top of the league standings.

Barcelona had initially taken the lead through Ferran Torres, who found the net in the 11th minute. However, Celta Vigo responded almost immediately. A defensive lapse from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny allowed Borja Iglesias to level the score. The visitors, playing an assertive 3-4-3 setup, kept Barcelona on the back foot.

Iglesias went on to complete a hat-trick early in the second half, giving Celta a shocking 3-1 advantage and silencing the home crowd. Manager Hansi Flick’s decision to start without key players like Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal was beginning to raise eyebrows.

The game turned dramatically once Olmo was introduced. The 26-year-old midfielder brought a sense of urgency and composure, pressing relentlessly and improving the team’s attacking flow.

His breakthrough came in the 82nd minute with a well-executed one-two with Raphinha that led to a clinical finish. Not long after, Olmo helped orchestrate the equalizer, creating space and drawing defenders to free up Raphinha for his second goal.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, Olmo was again at the heart of the action. He controlled the ball deftly inside the box and was brought down by Celta’s Lago. Following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Raphinha stepped up and converted, securing a dramatic win for the hosts.

Despite only playing for about 30 minutes, Olmo’s impact was enormous. He scored one goal, played a key role in another, and won the match-winning penalty. His energy and creativity disrupted Celta’s structure, leaving their midfield and defense unsettled. Former Barça player Ilaix Moriba and even experienced forward Iago Aspas couldn’t match his influence.

This thrilling victory not only kept Barcelona firmly in the title race but also highlighted Olmo’s evolution from a squad player to a decisive leader.