Barcelona’s unbeaten run in LaLiga continued with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, thanks to a late goal from new signing Dani Olmo.
In a match that saw the Catalan giants struggling to find their rhythm, Rayo Vallecano took an early lead in the 9th minute through Unai López, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack initiated by Jorge de Frutos. The home side, playing at their notoriously tough Vallecas stadium, kept Barcelona under pressure throughout the first half, with Alvaro García and Isi Palazón both coming close to extending their lead.
Barcelona, however, came alive in the second half. Pedri’s equalizer in the 60th minute, following a slick counter-attack, breathed life into the visitors. The turning point came when manager Hansi Flick brought on Dani Olmo, making his debut after being sidelined for the first two matches due to LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.
Olmo, who recently joined from RB Leipzig, made an immediate impact. He netted the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, securing all three points for Barcelona and maintaining their perfect start to the season.
The victory propelled Barcelona to the top of the LaLiga standings with nine points from three games, two points clear of second-placed Villarreal. The win also marked Barcelona’s first league triumph at Vallecas since November 2018, breaking a streak of unfavorable results at the Madrid-based stadium.
As Barcelona’s new star, Olmo’s heroics will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they aim to retain their spot at the top of the table.
