Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Robert Lewandowski scoring the decisive penalty in the first half. This win not only helped Barca maintain their strong form but also propelled them to the top of La Liga, taking advantage of dropped points by both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid over the weekend.
With this victory, Barcelona sits level on points with Real Madrid at 51, but leads on goal difference. Atletico Madrid trails closely behind by just one point, while Rayo Vallecano remains competitive in sixth place with 35 points.
The match saw Barcelona struggling despite controlling possession. Rayo Vallecano’s defensive prowess and aggressive play kept the pressure on Barcelona’s backline, leading to a standout performance from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who made several crucial saves. The match turned in favor of Barcelona after a controversial penalty call was made following a foul by Pathé Ciss on Iñigo Martínez, with Lewandowski converting the penalty in the 28th minute.
Rayo Vallecano voiced their displeasure with the officiating, believing they were denied a similar penalty after Pau Cubarsí appeared to foul Ciss. Rayo’s frustrations peaked when a goal by Jorge de Frutos was disallowed in the 42nd minute, which further amplified their grievances with the referee’s decisions.
Despite their complaints, Rayo almost equalized in stoppage time when de Frutos missed a header from close range. Rayo coach Inigo Perez expressed his frustration regarding the referee’s decisions, emphasizing that it would take time to process the disappointment of the match.
This victory for Barcelona reflects their resilience in a challenging match and highlights the ongoing competitive nature of La Liga, with teams continuing to fight for every point in the crucial months ahead. As Barcelona leads the league, they enter the next phase of the season with momentum and confidence.