The drama of Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Girona on Monday night continues to unfold. While Lamine Yamal’s first-half penalty miss was a turning point in the match, a specific moment of encroachment sparked heated debate among fans and pundits regarding a potential retake.
VAR Controversy: Why Lamine Yamal’s Missed Penalty Wasn’t Retaken Against Girona
In the 45+2 minute, with the score still level, Lamine Yamal’s penalty strike rattled the post. As the ball rebounded back into play, cameras captured Girona’s Bryan Gil entering the penalty area before the ball was kicked, sparking immediate protests from the Barcelona bench.
- The Rule: Under IFAB laws, if a defending player encroaches and the ball does not enter the net, the penalty should be retaken—but only under specific conditions.
- The Protest: Barcelona players argued that Gil’s early entry gave him an unfair advantage in reaching the rebound.
The renowned officiating analysis account, Archivo VAR, took to X (formerly Twitter) to settle the controversy. According to their expert breakdown, the referee made the correct decision by not ordering a retake
The Verdict: Although Bryan Gil entered the box early, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong also encroached simultaneously.
Key Reasons for the Decision:
- Mutual Encroachment: Both a defender (Gil) and an attacker (De Jong) entered the area before the strike.
- The Interference Factor: De Jong actually obstructed Gil, preventing him from reaching the ball.
- The Outcome: Since Gil did not successfully clear the ball or gain a direct advantage that changed the outcome of the play, the “no-call” was technically accurate.
Impact on the Title Race
The decision proved fatal for Barcelona’s ambitions. Had the penalty been retaken and scored, the Blaugrana would likely have headed into halftime with the lead. Instead, the 2-1 loss leaves them in 2nd place with 58 points, now trailing Real Madrid by two points.
