Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2: Rashford assisted twice

On a night of feverish Balaidos, Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2 to close out La Liga round 12, closing the gap with Real Madrid to three points. Robert Lewandowski did his usual job with a hat-trick, Lamine Yamal got on the scoresheet, but the pulse of the match was controlled by Marcus Rashford on the left flank: 2 assists, 2 clear chances, relentless pressing.

Highlights: Rashford's fiery left wing

Without scoring, Rashford was still the biggest catalyst for Barcelona’s attacking structure. The Englishman completed 88% of his passes (30/34), completed 3/6 crosses and had 4 shots, 1 on target. His speed and burst allowed him to get past Mingueza twice in the first half, opening up the left flank and stretching the Celta Vigo defence.

Rashford’s influence was felt in both directions. When in possession, he constantly dragged opposition full-backs into 1-v-1 situations, creating space for his teammates to cut in. When he lost possession, he joined in the pressing, duels and ball recoveries, keeping Barcelona on their toes against the home side’s counter-attacks.

Key events and decisive moments

Lewandowski finished the game with a hat-trick, while Lamine Yamal added another to complete the 4-2 win. Rashford was the link-up play on the left flank, getting the ball into the box with pinpoint crosses and well-timed passes to the second line. His high intensity kept Celta Vigo constantly on the defensive in their own half.

Selected statistics

• Barcelona 4-2 Celta Vigo (round 12 La Liga)
• Lewandowski: hat-trick; Lamine Yamal: 1 goal
• Marcus Rashford: 2 assists, 2 clear chances
• Passing rate: 88% (30/34)
• Shots: 4, 1 on target
• Crosses: 3/6 successful
• Fotmob scores 9.0 points
• Defense/Transition: 3 recoveries, won 4/6 duels

Tactics: Why Rashford makes the difference

On the left flank, Rashford was both a penetrating striker and a transit point. His ability to accelerate and then slow down in tight spaces often left Mingueza caught off guard. His early crosses and vertical balls showed his versatility in decision-making: when opponents dropped deep, Rashford chose to cross early; when they pushed forward, he dribbled past them to attack the space behind directly.

The efficiency is shown in the numbers: 3/6 crosses landed on time; 2 clear chances created; 88% accurate passes despite operating in high-risk areas. The intensity of pressing and 3 ball recoveries helped Barcelona maintain the rhythm, not allowing Celta Vigo to break the attacking streak.

Impact on the season and the transfer paradox

The win helped Barcelona close the gap on Real Madrid to three points. On a personal level, the performance at Balaidos showed the 28-year-old striker is back to his best after a difficult period at Manchester United.

However, the Rashford effect poses a difficult problem off the field. Despite his explosive performance on loan from Man United, sporting director Deco confirmed that Barcelona cannot activate the buyout clause in the January 2026 transfer window because the financial situation is not stable. "We know clearly where we need to improve. If there are no surprises, there will be no need to buy more players at this time," Deco shared. The immediate priority is to balance the budget.

The HR picture: temporary pillar roles

With Raphinha suffering a long-term injury, Rashford has become an irreplaceable piece on the left wing. Hansi Flick has praised his adaptability, training spirit and understanding with teammates like Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez. This rise has added to the sense of regret that Barcelona has not yet been able to turn the loan deal into a long-term deal.

At Balaidos, Rashford did more than just provide two assists. He set the tempo, opened up space and inspired a belief that Barcelona’s left flank could be a launching pad for ambition. The question remains on the books: how long can this form be maintained before the financial numbers start to speak?