The match between Girona and Barcelona at Montilivi Stadium turned into one of the most controversial La Liga games of the season, after a goal sparked a storm of protests both on and off the pitch, opening a floodgate of criticism over refereeing decisions and VAR.
A decisive moment that turned the tide
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The attack leading to Girona’s opening goal began with a strong challenge from Claudio Echeverri
on defender Jules Koundé near the penalty area.
Koundé fell to the ground in pain after clear contact and a blow to his ankle, but play continued without being stopped, allowing Girona to score a goal that ignited the match.
The controversy didn’t end there, as Fran Beltrán doubled the lead with a powerful shot from outside the box, compounding the Catalan team’s misery and further intensifying the tension in the stands and on the bench.
VAR under scrutiny
The VAR review was swift, with referee Soto Grado not being called to review the footage on the sidelines, much to the anger of Barcelona’s coaching staff.
Coach Hansi Flick vehemently protested the decision, demanding an explanation, while Ronald Araujo appeared stunned as he spoke with the referee. The protests continued as tensions escalated in the final minutes.
Clashes and a red card ignite the final moments
The charged atmosphere spilled onto the pitch, culminating in a double tackle involving Joel Roca and Axel Witsel on Lamine Yamal. This resulted in Roca’s dismissal and a confrontation between the players.
A confrontation after the final whistle
Following the match, Araujo and Rafinha, accompanied by Flick, approached the referee at the center circle, expressing their dissatisfaction with the decisions, which they felt had directly influenced the outcome.
Anticipated action within Barcelona
According to internal sources, Barcelona is exploring all available legal options, convinced that the controversial incident had a decisive impact. The scrutiny surrounding Soto Grado’s performance in previous matches has resurfaced, placing Spanish refereeing and VAR under significant media and public pressure during this crucial stage of the La Liga season.
The coming days may bring further developments in this matter, which has reignited debate over refereeing fairness and the influence of technical decisions on the outcomes of major matches.
