Barcelona climbed back to the top of La Liga on goal difference after a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty.
With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid dropping points over the weekend, Barcelona took advantage and moved to 51 points, level with Madrid and one point ahead of Atlético.
Madrid and Atlético Drop Points
Madrid drew 1-1 at Osasuna on Saturday, while Atlético also finished 1-1 at home against Celta Vigo.
Despite reclaiming the top spot, Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny urged his team to stay focused.
“We can’t get too caught up in the table,” Szczesny told Barca One. “At one point, we were nine points clear, but things can change fast. We have to stay at our best for every game.”
He also reminded fans that Barcelona is still competing for three trophies this season.
Lewandowski’s Goal Secures Win
Barcelona took the lead in the 27th minute when Pathe Ciss fouled Iñigo Martínez in the box. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, and Lewandowski calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Both teams had chances to score afterward. Lamine Yamal, playing his 100th career game, forced a strong save from Rayo’s Augusto Batalla. At the other end, Jorge De Frutos found the net for Rayo, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
As the match went on, Barcelona gained control, extending their unbeaten streak to 12 games. Pedri was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, while Frenkie de Jong also played a crucial role in midfield, controlling the tempo and creating chances.
Flick: “We Will Fight Until the End”
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was pleased with the result but emphasized that the season is far from over.
“I said we would fight until the end, and that’s exactly what we are doing,” Flick said. “This is a great situation for the club, the players, and the fans, but the job isn’t done yet.”
For Rayo Vallecano, the defeat ended their nine-match unbeaten run, which had stretched back to December 7.
