There are matches where the score says nothing about suffering. And then there are these evenings where Barça crosses emotions like a tightrope walker on tense thread. This Saturday evening, Montjuïc saw everything: a dream start, a staggering collapse, a furious revolt and a final deliverance.
When Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 12th minute, we believed in a quiet evening. Error. In a few well -felt transitions, Borja Iglesias returned the decor. Tripped to the key (15th, 52nd, 62nd), in a raw style, without frills. Each time, the same poison: calls in the back of a Catalan defense in pain, and a clinical finish. Montjuic has often been the scene of recitals, it was a nightmare in three acts.
At 3-1, Barça fogled. Less in the game than confidence. Less by weakness than by imbalance.
Borja Iglesias put three goals at Barça.
A Catalan revolt worn by men in the shadows
Then the light came from those that we did not necessarily expect. Dani Olmo first, at the 64th, perfectly found by Rafinha in the meantime. Then Rafinha himself, four minutes later, after a collective sequence carried out drum beating with Lamine Yamal on the baguette. 3-3. A relief, but not an end.
Because Barça pushed. Because a draw would have changed anything. But a victory could offer a great operation in the title race. The opportunities succeeded each other without success until this 96th minute when Dani Olmo, again, collapsed in the surface, hung in his call. The referee, after long hesitation and recourse to the Var, showed the penalty spot. Under the clamor of Montjuïc, Rafinha was not trembling. Full skylight. 98th minute. 4-3.
An irrational but vital success
This match, Barça could have lost it a thousand times. He won it once. But it's the only one that matters. Rafinha, already goalscorer and passer, turned into a ultimate savior. Real Madrid, traveling Sunday in Bilbao, now knows that it will be necessary to pick up again. And Montjuïc, so often cold, has finally exploded like the new camp at the big hours. A victory like an electrochoc. A champion's victory? Answer in May.
