Lewandowski’s Penalty Seals Narrow Barcelona Win Over Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona edged out Rayo Vallecano 1-0 on February 17, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty securing all three points and sending Barcelona to the top of La Liga.
The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Rayo’s Pathe Ciss was penalized for fouling Barcelona’s Íñigo Martínez inside the box. After a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot, and Lewandowski made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Barcelona the lead.
Despite the goal, Rayo Vallecano wasn’t without their chances. They had a goal ruled out for offside, with Jorge De Frutos denied, and Lamine Yamal also saw a shot saved by Rayo’s goalkeeper Augusto Batalla. Barcelona’s defense, led by veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, held firm to protect their slender advantage.
With the win, Barcelona moved to 51 points, level with Real Madrid but ahead on goal difference, while Atlético Madrid trails by a point. Rayo Vallecano, despite their spirited performance, stayed in sixth place with 35 points.
There was some frustration from Rayo’s president, Martín Presa, who voiced his displeasure with the referee’s decisions. He pointed out the inconsistency in VAR’s intervention, specifically questioning why a possible penalty for Rayo wasn’t reviewed while Barcelona’s was.
On the other hand, Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, defended the role of VAR, reiterating that it was meant to ensure fairness in the game. Flick acknowledged the controversy but stood by the technology, saying it had helped in making the right decision.
For Barcelona, this win is another step closer to reclaiming the La Liga title, showcasing their ability to grind out results in tight matches.
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