Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League, but the match was marred by another refereeing controversy that left fans enraged.
Despite dominating the game, the main post-match conversation centered on a clear red card incident that was somehow overlooked, raising concerns about officiating inconsistencies in European football.
From the very start, Barcelona controlled possession, dictating the pace with precise passing and relentless pressing. Benfica, however, proved to be a tough opponent, setting up a deep defensive block and focusing on counter-attacks to create danger. It was a tactical battle, with Barcelona patiently searching for openings against Benfica’s steadfast defense.
The breakthrough came in the second half when İlkay Gündoğan delivered a perfectly weighted ball to Robert Lewandowski, who finished with calm precision, sending the Camp Nou crowd into celebration. It was a deserved lead, a reflection of Barça’s persistence and attacking effort.
But then came the moment that left Barcelona fans in disbelief. Late in the game, Gavi was on the receiving end of a brutal, studs-up challenge that sent him to the ground in pain. The challenge was clearly worthy of a straight red card—reckless, dangerous, and unnecessary. Yet, shockingly, the referee opted to ignore it.
“How has this not been reviewed and given as a red card?” fans expressed their outrage across social media, criticizing the inexplicable decision. The frustration was tangible, as VAR, which was supposed to correct such mistakes, remained silent.
For many fans, this was another instance in a long line of refereeing injustices against Barcelona. “Red cards only seem to matter when they’re against Barça,” one fan commented, echoing the feelings of many who believe their team is often on the wrong side of controversial calls.
Inconsistencies in officiating have long been a problem in the Champions League, but this latest incident felt particularly obvious. Similar fouls in other matches have seen players sent off without hesitation, yet once again, Barcelona found themselves battling not only their opponents but also questionable refereeing decisions.
Despite the outrage, Flick’s team stayed focused, defending resolutely in the closing minutes to secure a vital three points. Marc-André ter Stegen made a crucial save in stoppage time, denying Benfica any chance of an equalizer.
With this victory, Barcelona advanced further in their European campaign, but the sense of injustice lingered. Flick and his squad won’t let officiating errors hinder their ambitions, but fans continue to wonder: will UEFA ever address these glaring inconsistencies, or will Barcelona always be forced to battle both their rivals and the referees?
One thing is clear—this will likely not be the last time the red card debate resurfaces, especially when Barcelona is involved.
