Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 away win over Rayo Vallecano after Dani Olmo came off the bench to score a winner on debut.
After taking four points from their first two matches, a confident Rayo side made a fast start in front of their vociferous support, with Unai Lopez giving the home faithful a goal to celebrate in the ninth minute.
With his side unable to find a response before the break, Hansi Flick decided to make a change, sending Olmo on to make his first La Liga appearance after Barcelona managed to register him in time for matchday three.
Olmo threatened to restore parity with a long-range shot, only to see his ambitious effort crash against the crossbar.
Barcelona's persistence ultimately paid off in the 69th minute when Pedri linked up with Raphinha to get the Blaugrana back on level terms.
The stage was set for Olmo to grab the headlines, with the Spain international receiving the ball in the box before guiding a left-footed shot into the far corner.
Barcelona held on to their slender advantage to record a third consecutive 2-1 victory, ensuring that they are the only team yet to drop points in La Liga this season.
They are guaranteed to head into the weekend in top spot, while Rayo are currently sitting in eighth position.
RAYO VALLECANO VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Lopez goal vs. Barcelona (9th min, Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Barcelona)
Rayo strike first against Barcelona! ⚪🔴
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 27, 2024
Unai Lopez gets the goal and Vallecas is celebrating 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Xbz4vKqhyK
Rayo take an early lead at Vallecas. The 28-year-old sweeps the ball in at the near post after meeting Jorge de Frutos's neat cutback. It is Lopez's first La Liga goal since netting the opener against Barcelona in a 1-1 home draw in November 2023.
Pedri goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (60th min, Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona)
Pedri with the equaliser! 🔵🔴
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 27, 2024
Great play from start to finish in the move from the Barcelona midfielder 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4z4dz5BKxQ
Barcelona's positive start to the second half results in a deserved equaliser. The midfielder continues his run after playing the ball out to Raphinha on the left flank. He receives the ball back from the Brazilian before sending a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Lewandowski's disallowed goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (71st min)
Lewandowski finds the net. The Poland international collects a parry and takes his time before picking the opportunity moment to pass the ball into the far corner. However, the referee heads to the VAR monitor before chalking the goal off for a foul against Jules Kounde.
Olmo goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (82nd min, Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Barcelona)
Dani Olmo arrives just on time for Barcelona! ⌚
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 27, 2024
It's a debut goal and it's 2-1 to Hansi Flick's men 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/S3SiMylAR6
There is nothing wrong with this goal. After collecting the ball from Yamal, Olmo drives a left-footed strike past the despairing Dani Cardenas to net his first La Liga goal.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DANI OLMO
© Imago
Olmo may have only been introduced at half time, but he demonstrated why Barcelona made the effort to sign him from RB Leipzig this summer.
The Euro 2024 winner was unfortunate not to grab a goal before the hour mark when he saw his long-range shot rattled the Rayo crossbar.
He continued to offer a real threat throughout the duration of his performance and ultimately deserved the privilege of scoring the winning goal.
RAYO VALLECANO VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Rayo Vallecano 35%-65% Barcelona
Shots: Rayo Vallecano 7-22 Barcelona
Shots on target: Rayo Vallecano 4-5 Barcelona
Corners: Rayo Vallecano 6-6 Barcelona
Fouls: Rayo Vallecano 17-11 Barcelona
BEST STATS
3 - Unai López has scored his first @LaLigaEN goal since November 2023, also against Barcelona. In fact, the Rayo Vallecano player has scored three goals in 13 meetings with the Blaugrana in the competition, more than against any other opponent.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 27, 2024
Habit. pic.twitter.com/uQhUOAbjc6
17 - Raphinha has 17 assists in 67 @LaLigaEN games; since his arrival at Barcelona in 2022/23, only Antoine Griezmann (24) has provided more assists than the Brazilian in the competition (also 17 for Álex Baena).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 27, 2024
Decisive. pic.twitter.com/HQaXtbTyYR
1 - Dani Olmo is the first player to score in his first game for Barcelona in @LaLigaEN and to do so away from home since Sandro Ramírez in August 2014 against Villarreal.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 27, 2024
Present. pic.twitter.com/TxMliEyaCj
WHAT NEXT?
After recording a third consecutive win, Barcelona will attempt to maintain their 100% record when play host to newly-promoted Real Valladolid on Saturday.
As for Rayo, they will look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season in Saturday's away clash with Espanyol.
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