Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Tuesday, thanks to a late goal from new signing Dani Olmo. The win extends Barcelona’s perfect start to the season, keeping them at the top of the table with three wins from three matches.
The match was a tense affair, with Rayo taking the lead in the ninth minute through Unai Lopez following a quick counter-attack. Rayo dominated the early stages, pressing Barcelona high and threatening on the counter, with Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon both missing good opportunities.
However, Barcelona came alive after the break, with manager Hansi Flick introducing the versatile Olmo from the bench. Olmo, who had signed from RB Leipzig but was initially ineligible due to Barcelona’s ongoing struggles with LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, made an immediate impact. He unleashed a powerful shot from long range in the 57th minute that cannoned off the crossbar, showcasing his attacking threat.
Barcelona equalized in the 60th minute thanks to a swift counter-attack initiated by Pedri. Pedri played the ball to Raphinha in the left channel before receiving the return pass and finishing calmly into the bottom corner.
Barcelona thought they had scored a second goal in the 71st minute through Robert Lewandowski, but the referee overturned the decision following a VAR review, ruling that a foul had occurred in the build-up.
However, Olmo’s moment arrived in the 82nd minute, securing a deserved victory for Barcelona. After a clever combination with Lamine Yamal, who drove towards the byline before cutting the ball back, Olmo unleashed a curling shot inside the far post, finding the back of the net.
Olmo’s arrival provided a much-needed spark for Barcelona, with his electric performances central to Spain’s recent Euro 2024 triumph, where he finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer with three goals.
The win maintains Barcelona’s perfect start to the season, putting them two points clear of second-placed Villarreal. Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, sits eighth on four points.
