The decision that could have changed the match: VAR 'passed' on the expulsion of Mingueza

FC Barcelona let a victory that was practically guaranteed slip away against Celta de Vigo five minutes from the end of the match. Marc Casadó's expulsion and Jules Koundé's glaring error in the home team's first goal conditioned the game for the culés, who saw the three points disappear in a span of two minutes.

However, the development of the match could have been very different if the referee had intervened at a specific moment. And in the 40th minute of the first half, Óscar Mingueza caused a reckless stomp on Raphinha when the Blaugrana team was 0-1 ahead on the scoreboard.

The VAR did not intervene in the play

The referee did not see it clearly live and the VAR did not call him to review the action, despite the fact that it was serious rough play and endangered the physical integrity of the Brazilian, since the Celta defender stuck his studs into the back of his ankle.

🖥️💥 El VAR le perdonó la expulsión a Mingueza.

👉🏻 El defensor del Celta de Vigo clava los tacos en la parte trasera del tobillo del brasileño.

❌ ES ROJA DIRECTA.

▪️ Se trata de una acción de juego brusco grave que pone en peligro la integridad física del jugador. pic.twitter.com/tW9Yjx5hDn

— Archivo VAR (@ArchivoVAR) November 23, 2024

The action could have led to Mingueza being sent off and, almost certainly, changed the outcome of the match, although Barça's disconnection in the final stretch of the match, where they made several errors due to lack of concentration, cannot be justified, as Hansi Flick admitted in the press conference after the match.