JYNEWS, Barcelona vs Rayo News, Barcelona reclaimed their position at the LaLiga summit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on February 17, 2025. A solitary Robert Lewandowski penalty proved decisive as the Catalans capitalized on their rivals’ weekend stumbles to lead the title race on goal difference.
The Monday night clash at the Spotify Camp Nou saw Barcelona secure three crucial points through Lewandowski’s 28th-minute penalty. The victory puts them level on 51 points with Real Madrid but ahead on goal difference, while extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
27′: Pathe Ciss fouls Inigo Martinez in the penalty area
28′: Lewandowski converts penalty (1-0)
First Half: Barcelona dominates possession but Rayo threatens on counter
Second Half: Multiple chances for both sides
Added Time: De Frutos misses crucial header for equalizer
Barcelona’s Statistics:
Possession: 59%
Passing Accuracy: 85% (493/577)
Shots on Target: 4/13
Clean Sheet: Yes
Rayo Vallecano showed remarkable resilience despite the defeat, ending their impressive nine-game unbeaten streak dating back to December 7.
Under Hansi Flick’s guidance, Barcelona employed a possession-based approach:
Frenkie de Jong controlling midfield tempo
Lamine Yamal celebrating his 100th career match with dynamic wing play
Solid defensive organization leading to a crucial clean sheet
Standout Players:
Robert Lewandowski: Match-winning penalty
Inigo Martinez: Drew crucial penalty
Jorge De Frutos (Rayo): Constant threat throughout
Augusto Batalla: Important saves to keep Rayo in the game
The victory has significant title race implications:
Barcelona: 51 points (top on goal difference)
Real Madrid: 51 points
Atletico Madrid: 50 points
Rayo Vallecano: 35 points (6th place)
: Why was the penalty awarded?
A: VAR review confirmed Pathe Ciss’s foul on Inigo Martinez inside the box.
: How did this affect the LaLiga standings?
A: Barcelona moved to top spot, level on 51 points with Real Madrid but ahead on goal difference.
: What was significant about Lamine Yamal’s appearance?
A: It marked his 100th career match, during which he forced a notable save from Batalla.
: How long is Barcelona’s unbeaten run now?
A: The victory extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches.
: What ended for Rayo Vallecano?
A: Their nine-game unbeaten run, which had started on December 7, came to an end.
Barcelona’s narrow victory exemplifies their ability to grind out results when needed. While not their most convincing performance, the win proves crucial in the tight LaLiga title race. With both Madrid clubs dropping points over the weekend, Barcelona’s efficiency in securing all three points could prove decisive come season’s end.
The challenge now for Hansi Flick’s men is to maintain this momentum as they balance domestic and European commitments. For Rayo, despite the end of their unbeaten run, their sixth-place position suggests they remain strong contenders for European qualification.