- Barcelona leads La Liga after a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano
- Controversial referee decisions marked the match
- Barcelona faces a busy schedule with seven matches next month
Key Takeaways:
In two and a half months, Barcelona has once again seized the lead in La Liga, overshadowing both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. This achievement was cemented following a hard-fought 1-0 home triumph over Rayo Vallecano in the final match of the 24th round. Robert Lewandowski was the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal from a penalty in the 28th minute, which was sufficient for the Catalans to level on points with Real Madrid, the previous leaders, but their superior goal difference clinched them the top spot.
Barça are BACK ON TOP. 😱
WHAT A TITLE RACE! 👀 pic.twitter.com/FhcUT6DI57
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 17, 2025
The match was not without its controversies, consistent with the recent trend in football. Just before halftime, Rayo had a goal chalked off for offside. Although De Frutos was not offside while playing the ball, referee Mario Melero Lopez ruled that Nteka’s positioning was problematic, arguing that his passive offside position turned active when he obstructed Barcelona’s defender Inigo Martinez.
Refereeing played a pivotal role in the game’s outcome, particularly with Lewandowski’s goal. Initially, the referee missed the infringement, but upon VAR’s review, it was clear there was holding in the penalty area. However, earlier in the game, a similar incident went unnoticed when Hector Fort grabbed an opponent’s shirt in front of Rayo’s goal. Additionally, Pau Cubarsi and later Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal were involved in or claimed fouls, highlighting the match’s contentious nature.
Despite numerous clear chances, Barcelona nearly paid for their profligacy as Rayo missed a golden opportunity through De Frutos just seconds after the end of regular time.
Looking forward, Barcelona is set for a demanding schedule with seven matches in the coming month, including two Champions League round of 16 games and two league encounters against Atletico Madrid. This will test their mettle and depth as they aim to maintain their newfound lead in La Liga.