Barcelona claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at Montjuïc, moving to the top of La Liga. The match, which was filled with controversy surrounding the referee’s decisions, was decided by Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty.
The penalty came after a VAR review confirmed that Pathé Ciss had fouled Barcelona’s Iñigo Martínez inside the box. Lewandowski stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give the home side the lead. This victory ended Rayo Vallecano’s impressive nine-match unbeaten streak.
Rayo Vallecano, however, didn’t let the early setback discourage them. The team fought back strongly, with a series of attacking plays that put pressure on Barcelona’s defense. Just before halftime, they nearly equalized, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was forced into a key save to deny Rayo a goal.
In the second half, Barcelona had several chances to extend their lead. Lewandowski and winger Raphinha both missed good opportunities, which left Rayo Vallecano with a chance to strike. In the dying moments of the match, Adrián Embarba delivered a perfect pass to Jorge de Frutos, who had a clear opportunity to score. However, de Frutos, a former Real Madrid player, failed to convert the chance, much to the disappointment of his teammates.
Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, will be relieved to have seen his side secure all three points despite their inability to finish the game off more comfortably. For Rayo Vallecano, despite the loss, the team remains in sixth place in the standings and will look to bounce back in their next match.
With the win, Barcelona moved level on points with Real Madrid, both sitting at 51 points. Atlético Madrid follows closely behind in third place. The result gives Barcelona a slight edge at the top of the La Liga table, though the competition remains fierce.
