Where is the VAR? The penalty on Raphinha could have changed the match

FC Barcelona fell for the second consecutive match at Montjuïc against Leganés (0-1) on a very gray night for Hansi Flick's team. Despite the poor collective performance of the azulgranas, there was a controversial play in the second half that could have changed the fate of the match in favor of the culés. Once again, the refereeing overlooked a clear penalty in favor of Barça.

In the 59th minute, the Brazilian won a ball that had not completely gone out of play, and when he was looking for a shooting angle, he was clearly pushed by the full-back Javier Hernández. Neither Quintero González nor Pulido Santana (in charge of VAR) called the foul, although the main referee gave the benefit of the doubt, waiting for the final decision from the VOR room.

Lamine Yamal, another victim of refereeing in Barça-Leganés

The play also raised doubts about whether the ball had completely gone out after the dispute between Raphinha and Seydouba Cissé, but the reverse angle shot made it clear that part of the ball was still in contact with the line before Rapha managed to leave his rival behind. In the first half, Quintero González also overlooked a harsh tackle from Yvan Neyou that nearly injured Lamine Yamal. The Cameroonian twisted the right ankle of the winger, but no foul was even called.

In the final half hour, the match continued without further controversies and with a Barça stuck in the opponent's half, failing to hurt the 'pepinero' defense despite overwhelming possession dominance throughout the second half. The culés finished the match with 81% possession, but only 4 of their 20 shots were on target. The clearest chance in the final stretch fell to Jules Koundé, who overcooked a cross-shot, following a backheel assist from Ferran Torres.