Barcelona head in at half time with a 1-0 La Liga lead over Rayo Vallecano via Lamine Yamal’s first ever penalty for the club.
A high-stakes night in Vallecas has focused on Barcelona continuing their winning start to the 2025/26 league season and the state of the Rayo pitch in Vallecas.
The Rayo Vallecano president spoke ahead of kick off to call out criticism over the stadium with fans protesting over the situation before the game.
Both sides created chances early on, with Barcelona No.1 Joan Garcia brilliantly denying Andrei Ratiu, before Isi Palazon fired over the bar from close range.
However, the game turned on 40 minutes, as Pep Chavarría brought down Lamine Yamal for a penalty in Barcelona’s favour.
Two Rayo players were booked in the aftermath, as the home side railed against the decision, and Barcelona’s teenage sensation tucked home from the spot.
Lamine Yamal wins the penalty and converts from the spot for Barca
Boos and whistles rain down as the Rayo fans aren't convinced about the referee's decision to award the spot kick
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @𝑆𝐵𝐾 | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/Wwns3i4mNM
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FC Barcelona Goal
Lamine Yamal
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The 18-year-old had never taken a penalty in normal time for Barcelona, but with Robert Lewandowski not on the pitch, he stepped up and scored.
The controversy only reigned during the break with widespread reports that VAR was unable to make a call on Chavarría’s foul in Vallecas.
A controversial penalty decision in a half when VAR was unavailable
@GuillemBalague and @TerryGibson88 react to the big story of Rayo v Barcelona so far
pic.twitter.com/6EaWPdaL8Q
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That will dominate the post-game conversation, particularly if Rayo are not able to wrestle to their way back into the contest.
Inigo Perez’s side lost 2-1 at home to Barcelona but they are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with the Catalan giants in the Spanish capital.
On the stroke of half time, despite the swirling controversy, Barcelona could and should have made it 2-0 but it was a chance wasted for the away side.
Lamine Yamal teed up Jules Kounde on the overlap, with the France international denied by Augusto Batalla, and Dani Olmo blazed the rebound off target much to the frustration of Hansi Flick on the sidelines.
Images via Getty Images/One Football
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