La Liga 2016/17: Villarreal 1-1 FC Barcelona - 5 Talking Points

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - JANUARY 08:  Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Manu Trigueros of Villarreal CF during the La Liga match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica stadium on January 8, 2017 in Villarreal, Spain.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi could not help his side win all three points against a spirited Villarreal side

#4 Referee was again the centre of attention

This seems to be the only explanation for the referee’s shocking decisions

Ignacio Iglesias, the official on the night, put in a disappointing show where his performance will be talked about much more than any player from the two sides; the last thing any referee needs.

The match had three penalty shouts; two to Barcelona and one to Villarreal which should have been awarded.

It seemed that the referee had closed his eyes for handballs as he shockingly denied two handball incidents in which the one involving Bruno Soriano trying to stop Messi's shot with his hand would have been given as a penalty even by a 10-year-old. He also failed to see Javier Mascherano handling the ball and one more foul in Villarreal's box.

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