Barcelona hit by more VAR controversy as bizarre image released after Ferran Torres goal disallowed

Barcelona’s La Liga derby against Espanyol on Saturday evening ended amid fresh VAR uproar after a Ferran Torres strike that would have sealed a 3-0 lead was ruled out for a marginal offside against Eric Garcia.

Torres had already twice beaten the goalkeeper in the first half to put the hosts in control at Camp Nou, and when he converted from close range midway through the second period the stadium erupted in celebration. The cheers turned to groans, however, when the video assistant referee determined that Garcia had strayed beyond the last defender while heading the initial ball across goal.

Refereeing officials released the freeze-frame image used to make the call, and the graphic quickly circulated on social media, prompting bewilderment among supporters and analysts over the tightness of the decision. The incident is the second time in four days that Barcelona have felt aggrieved by technology, having seen a contentious VAR intervention influence their midweek Champions League loss to Atlético Madrid.

Espanyol took advantage of the reprieve, pulling a goal back to set up a tense finale, before 16-year-old Lamine Yamal restored the two-goal cushion in the closing moments to secure a 3-1 victory and set yet another youth record.

The result keeps Barcelona in the upper reaches of the table but leaves lingering questions about the consistency of officiating standards, with the club’s frustration unlikely to subside quickly in the Spanish capital.