Barcelona missed the chance to go level at the top of LaLiga after being held to a 1-1 draw by Rayo Vallecano, with a first-half VAR controversy overshadowing the contest at Vallecas.
The home side started brightly, unsettling the champions and forcing goalkeeper Joan García into early action. Barça, however, created the first clear opportunities through Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, though both were denied by Augusto Batalla.
Rayo responded with chances of their own, most notably when García produced a superb save to deny Andrei Rațiu after a sweeping move. With Jorge de Frutos and Isi Palazón constantly stretching the visitors’ defence, Barcelona struggled to settle into their rhythm.
A moment of brilliance from Yamal broke the deadlock before half-time, the 18-year-old winning and converting a penalty amid furious protests from the stands.
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that communication between the VAR and the referee had failed, preventing a review of the decision.
Dani Olmo spurned a chance to extend the lead moments later, and Rayo made the most of the reprieve after the interval, with Isi Palazon again going close before García was called into action at the other end to thwart Olmo.
As Pedri began to orchestrate Barcelona’s attacking play, the visitors looked more composed, but defensive lapses continued to offer encouragement to the hosts and kept the outcome in doubt.
The result leaves Barcelona frustrated, halting their run of nine straight away league wins, while Rayo stretched their difficult home form to one win in nine matches but earned a performance that will feel like a statement.
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