Celtic were beaten 2-0 at home to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but one decision became the talking point after a penalty awarded to the visitors put the game out of reach of the hosts.
Within a minute of Celtic's Moussa Dembele missing a golden chance carved out for him by James Forrest, Barca were down the other end and the referee was pointing to the spot. After Messi tucked the penalty away with ease, we were given a reminder about how fine the line is at the highest level of European football, and if you don't take your chances, you will be punished.
That said, the penalty decision was not as clear cut as it first appeared. Before Messi took the shot, two angles of the replay showed Luis Suarez pulling Emilio Izaguirre into his body, but the Honduran then clearly made a swipe for the ball that he missed, so watch it again and judge for yourself:
Rec998 by kikimusampasoccer
It really is six of one, half a dozen of the other, as you could argue that Suarez was clearly looking for contact and even pulled the arm of his opponent to get it, but Izaguirre's challenge was wild.
It was certainly not a black and white decision, and that was reflected in the reaction as both points were argued vehemently.
Can't believe Chris Sutton's accused Suarez of buying a penalty there. Izaguirre held him, grappled with him, pulled him and kicked him.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) November 23, 2016
The panel disagree on the controversial penalty awarded to Barcelona after Izaguirre's challenge on Suarez https://t.co/Lsu2iY5DGQ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 23, 2016
Clever from Suarez, incredibly dumb from Izaguirre, tough on Celtic after really good spell. #CelticFCB
— Tommy Martin (@TommyMartinTV3) November 23, 2016
Experienced player like Izaguirre suckered like that. Criminal as if you look closely Suarez has grabbed him initiated the contact.
— Tam McManus (@The_Tman10) November 23, 2016
@FCBarcelona Neymar was a disgrace tonight and Suarez had a hold of Izaguirre to fool the ref. Barca good enough to not be so underhand.
— Kevin Dickson (@kdickso2) November 23, 2016
Izaguirre wiz 'chips doon' the night anaw. Apart fae the dodgy penalty he looked the best av seen him since his debut year! #CelticFCB
— Ryan (@IIIRFIII) November 23, 2016
Dembele has to score then god knows why Izaguirre tries to jump in Suarez' shorts. Champs League for ye.
— Andrew Murphy (@MurphAndy) November 23, 2016
@BumperGraham This is the defining of "dark arts" as you mentioned on @GHpodcast mate. Suarez holding on to Izzy to gain penalty!! pic.twitter.com/7iX1SrDgEL
— Fitzy (@Fitzy_07) November 23, 2016
