FC Barcelona kicked off the season amid controversy. The team’s second goal at Son Moix against Mallorca, scored by Ferran Torres, was surrounded by protests, doubts, and a tense atmosphere. The play left Mallorca players furious and the home crowd in uproar.

A wonder strike with a player down

The incident came in the 23rd minute, when a powerful shot from Lamine Yamal struck defender Raíllo in the face, leaving him sprawled on the turf. As the player lay motionless in the box, Barça retained possession, with its players hesitating on whether to continue or stop the play.

Ultimately, Ferran Torres decided to pull the trigger from outside the box, unleashing a spectacular strike into the top corner of the Mallorca net. Technically brilliant, but the circumstances made it one of the most debated moments of the matchday.

Protests, confusion, and referee’s call

Mallorca’s players immediately surrounded referee José Luis Munuera Montero, insisting the match should have been halted due to the head injury. According to the rules, head impacts typically require immediate stoppage for safety, something the official chose not to enforce.

In his view, Raíllo was not seriously injured and had attempted to block Barça’s attack. This interpretation only fueled the anger of the local bench, with Jagoba Arrasate storming from his technical area to protest. Morlanes was booked for his complaints.

The situation turned surreal: Barça players celebrated cautiously, waiting for confirmation from the referee. Once the goal was validated, the Son Moix crowd erupted in outrage, convinced it should have been disallowed.

Ferran Torres’ strike will go down as one of the first major controversies of the La Liga season—an extraordinary goal clouded by a heated debate over how the rules should be applied in situations involving potential head injuries.