Rayo Vallecano caused a major upset by defeating La Liga leaders Barcelona 2-1 in a match played at Vallecas. The home team outplayed the Catalans, with Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia scoring the goals that sealed the win. Although Robert Lewandowski scored a late goal for Barcelona, it was not enough to prevent their defeat.
Barcelona, led by Xavi Hernandez, are still 11 points ahead of Real Madrid with seven games left. Real Madrid’s chances of retaining their title are almost gone after losing to Girona. Although Barcelona also lost in the capital, they played well and deserved the defeat.
Xavi’s team has only won one out of their last four league matches, including a close victory against Atletico Madrid. They are struggling to reach the end of the season and secure their first title since 2019.
The coach of Barcelona warned his team about the danger posed by Rayo before their game, but they did not listen. Barcelona has failed to win against Rayo in their previous four league encounters.
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo said that they didn’t perform well enough and the other team played better, so they deserved to win.
Xavi didn’t have captain Sergio Busquets because he was suspended, but he gave Pedri his first start since February when he was injured. Frenkie de Jong played as the only defensive midfielder but had a difficult game, as did many of his teammates.
Sergio Camello had a chance to score for Rayo after a mistake by Pedri, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen stopped him. Rayo eventually scored when Camello passed to Alvaro Garcia, who hit a low shot into the bottom corner.
Jules Kounde, who has played as a right-back for most of the season, did not defend well enough to stop the opposing team’s forward. Despite good teamwork from Gavi and Raphinha, Barcelona’s Lewandowski missed a chance to score due to a save by Rayo’s goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
Rayo scored their second goal shortly after halftime when their left-back Fran Garcia, who will transfer to Real Madrid in the summer, aggressively pressed De Jong and successfully regained possession in a risky area.
The defender scored a goal against Ter Stegen, making Rayo the only team aside from Madrid to score more than one goal against Barcelona in La Liga this season.
Fran Garcia acknowledged that the day was significant for them as the ones who defeat giants were said to have returned.