Barca’s Xavi decries ‘maximum injustice’ after disallowed goal in El Clasico defeat

After a Lamine Yamal goal was disallowed by VAR in Barcelona's 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández criticised the officiating in LaLiga, which does not use goal line technology.

Vinicius Jr and Lucas Vazquez's goals helped Real equalise twice after Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez had put Barca ahead on Sunday.

Yamal's effort in the 28th minute was reviewed by VAR for several minutes, as it appeared to cross the line before Real keeper Andrey Lunin cleared it. The goal was disallowed and VAR awarded a corner to Barca.

Jude Bellingham scored the decider in the 91st minute, securing Real's fourth consecutive win over the Catalan side. Second-placed Barca trail by 11 points, a deficit that will be difficult to overturn with six games remaining.

“We can't control them. These are refereeing actions. I think the team is doing very well, we competed very well, we were better than Real on their own pitch and I think we deserved the three points in every way,” Xavi said.

“My feeling today is one of maximum injustice. Goes without saying, everyone saw it,” he added. “My feeling is that today's match was not fair.”

LaLiga is the only top five league in Europe not to use goal line technology. After Barcelona fans criticised LaLiga for lacking the tech, chief Javier Tebas responded on X by sharing several reports of past incidents where the technology was shown to be inaccurate saying, “no comment”.

Barcelona, who were knocked out of the Champions League last week, host Valencia in LaLiga on April 29. 

LaLiga leaders Real's pursuit of a record-extending 36th Spanish title gathered momentum after Bellingham scored in added time to secure a comeback win.

Madrid twice fought back from a goal down and before Bellingham smashed in the winner at the far post from about six yards out to beat the champions for a fourth successive time. 

Barca took the lead in the sixth minute when Christensen headed in after a corner after Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin failed to clear the cross from his six-yard-box.

Vinicius Jr equalised 12 minutes later from the penalty spot after Vazquez was fouled inside the box.

Wasteful Real dominated the second half but missed several chances and allowed substitute Lopez to give the visitors the lead again in the 69th minute from a rebound, but Real hit back with a Vazquez volley four minutes later.

Real kept pushing for another goal and their perseverance paid off in added time when Vazquez raced down the right channel and crossed to Bellingham, who fired in the winner. 

Reuters