Joao Cancelo helps Barcelona complete incredible comeback against Celta Vigo

Joao Cancelo’s 89th-minute goal completed an amazing comeback by Barcelona as they scored three times in the final 10 minutes to beat Celta Vigo 3-2.

Rafael Benitez’s Celta put in an excellent display and looked home and hosed as they went 2-0 up after 76 minutes when Tasos Douvikas added to Jorgen Strand Larsen’s excellent first-half goal.

But they succumbed to an incredible late rally that no one saw coming as Robert Lewandowski scored twice in four minutes before former Manchester City defender Cancelo won it with one minute of normal time.

FULL TIME!!! EPIC COMEBACK! #BarçaCelta pic.twitter.com/ewsm3CQcX0

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 23, 2023

The comeback will paper over the cracks of what was a worrying display for Barca, who were cut open at will by a vibrant Celta side, but Xavi’s men go to the top of the table with the three points.

Benitez will be highly enthused by what he saw from his team, even if they are just one point above the drop zone.

They looked more like the team at the top of the table with an incisive first-half performance, which was rewarded with a 19th-minute lead.

Barca could not clear a corner properly and on the second phase Lucca De La Torre slipped in Larsen and the Norwegian produced a fine shot into the bottom corner with a finish his compatriot Erling Haaland would have been proud of.

They should have led 2-0 five minutes before the break but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen produced a one-handed save to deny Larsen. The rebound fell to Jonathan Bamba and he was primed to score until Oriol Romeu produced a fine block. The danger was still not over as the ball fell to De La Torre, but he blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

Celta thought they should have had a penalty early in the second half as their pace caused a constant threat on the break, but VAR ruled in the hosts’ favour.

There was no escape, though, in the 76th minute as the visitors got their deserved second, which at the time looked to have sealed the points.

They launched a quick counter-attack and Douvikas raced on to Iago Aspas’ perfect pass to convert with a bobbled finish.

oh my godoh my godoh my godoh my godoh my god pic.twitter.com/6L7BGhbzNa

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 23, 2023

But Barca showed, even playing away from the Nou Camp, they can have a fortress in Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys as they produced a fine three-goal salvo in eight minutes.

Lewandowski started things off when he latched on to Joao Felix’s ball and hooked home in off the crossbar.

Three minutes later it was all square as the Poland striker tucked home from Cancelo’s cross.

Cancelo then took stage to win it in the 89th minute when he arrived in the box to convert Gavi’s cross and seal a sixth succesive win in all competitions.