Thanks to a late goal by new signing Dani Olmo, Barcelona completed their unbeaten start to the season with a third consecutive victory on Tuesday in a thrilling Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Barcelona comeback victory.
Olmo, who signed from RB Leipzig, missed Barca’s first two games because he was unregistered because of the team’s difficulties complying with LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. However, he came off the bench in the second half to give Barca the boost they needed in his debut.
Rayo Vallecano Early Lead
Unai Lopez had given Rayo the early lead, but Pedri’s counterattack goal in the 60th minute had wiped it out. He scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute.
With nine points from three games, two more than second-place Villarreal, Barcelona now leads the standings after the victory. With four points, Rayo is ranked seventh.
Barcelona has not had much luck at Vallecas lately; since November 2018, the Catalan team has not triumphed in a league match at the boisterous stadium outside of Madrid.
Rayo Vallecano Dominance in the First Half
In the ninth minute, Jorge de Frutos initiated a swift counterattack that gave Rayo the lead and gave them complete control of the game.
Rayo started the game aggressively, pressing Barca high and bursting forward on counterattacks, which gave Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon fantastic opportunities.
Barcelona Second-Half Resurgence
However, Barca were more energetic following the interval, as manager Hansi Flick used the versatile Olmo off the bench.
Olmo scored three goals in the tournament to tie for the lead, and he was one of six Spanish players named to UEFA’s team of the tournament. His incredible efforts were a major factor in Spain’s victory in Euro 2024.
He was a persistent threat to Rayo’s defense, launching a powerful long-range shot in the 57th minute that cannoned off the crossbar.
At the sixty-minute mark, Barca pulled even thanks to a swift counterattack led by Pedri. He found Raphinha in the left channel, raced forward to regain possession of the ball from his teammate, and finished well into the bottom right corner.
VAR Controversy and Olmo Winner
Robert Lewandowski gave Barca the impression that they had extended their lead in the 71st minute, but referee Cesar Soto Grado disallowed the goal because he saw a foul in the build-up during a VAR review.
But Olmo handed Barca a well-earned victory with a wonderful move including Lamine Yamal, who cut the ball back for an unmarked Olmo inside the box and scored a curling goal well inside the far post.
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