Barcelona reclaimed first place in La Liga after a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at home. The match, filled with controversy, was decided by a penalty converted by Robert Lewandowski, while a goal by Rayo was disallowed for offside. The result extended Barcelona’s unbeaten streak to 12 matches across all competitions, keeping them level on points with Real Madrid. You can check football predictions on MSport Betting, which provides insights into upcoming matches. For more details about such apps, visit Beton.ng.
The game’s turning point came in the first half when Inigo Martinez fell inside the box after a physical duel with Pathé Ciss. Although the ball had already been cleared by the goalkeeper, referee Mario Melero López reviewed the incident via VAR and awarded a penalty. Lewandowski stepped up and scored with a shot that bounced off the post before hitting the back of the net. The decision sparked debate, with some analysts arguing that Ciss had clearly impeded Martinez, while others believed the contact was too minor to warrant a penalty.
Later in the first half, Rayo Vallecano thought they had equalized when Jorge de Frutos finished off a through ball from Ciss. However, the goal was ruled out because Randy Nteka, who was in an offside position, obstructed Martinez’s attempt to challenge de Frutos. This decision was met with less controversy, as most experts agreed that Nteka’s presence had directly interfered with the defender.
Despite the slim scoreline, Barcelona controlled most of the game, registering 1.78 expected goals (xG) compared to Rayo’s 0.98. The Catalan side created multiple chances, particularly through Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, but their finishing let them down. Yamal’s struggles in front of goal continued, as he has not scored in La Liga since October, despite finding the net in other competitions. His performance was rated 6.4 by Sofascore, the lowest among Barcelona players.
Lewandowski, despite scoring, faced criticism for his overall play. He struggled to contribute outside the penalty area, often slowing down attacks with his back-to-goal play. Some fans noted that Dani Olmo’s introduction in the second half improved Barcelona’s ball progression. Meanwhile, Pedri delivered another impressive performance, controlling the tempo and creating chances that were ultimately wasted by his teammates.
With this win, Barcelona moved back to the top of La Liga alongside Real Madrid, with Atlético Madrid just one point behind. Athletic Club remains in contention as well, trailing by only a couple of wins. The title race is heating up, and key fixtures remain on the horizon. In March, Barcelona will face Atlético away, followed by a home clash against Real Madrid in May. They will also play Atlético twice in the Copa del Rey before April.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will visit Las Palmas in their next league match, while Atlético takes on Valencia, and Real Madrid faces Girona. The battle for the title is far from over, and every point could prove decisive in one of the tightest La Liga seasons in years.