Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona: Highlights, man of the match, stats as VAR controversy overshadows La Liga affair KIK BALL

There was VAR drama as Barcelona dropped two valuable points in La Liga on Sunday night, with the reining champions held to a 1-1 draw by an impressive Rayo Vallecano outfit in the Spanish capital.

Lamine Yamal made the breakthrough from the penalty spot in the 40th minute of the contest after he had been brought to the ground by Rayo defender Pep Chavarria.

The initial indications were that it was a soft award, but the referee was unable to consult VAR due to a communication error, with the technology not working as expected.

Rayo answered back in the second period through Fran Perez, and his effort finish proved to be enough for the hosts to secure a share of the spoils against the champions on Sunday night.

The result has left Barcelona fourth in the La Liga table, two points behind the leaders Real Madrid, while Rayo have moved into 10th, boasting four points from their first three matches of the season.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

Ahead of kickoff, both managers were informed that the game would begin without VAR due to an error, which was then apparently rectified in the 12th minute of the contest.

However, when Mateo Busquets went to review the Yamal penalty incident, he was unable to do so, meaning that the decision had to stand, and Rayo had every right to feel aggrieved.

In fairness to Rayo, they bounced back impressively, with Los Franjirrojos showing why they finished high up the La Liga table (eighth) last term, and this will go down as a disappointing result for Barcelona.

It is not often that Barcelona fail to score from open play in a match, but that was the case here, and only three attempts were registered on target over the course of the 90 minutes.

The Catalan giants remain favourites to win the La Liga title once again, but their last two performances have been disappointing, and Real Madrid will be encouraged by what happened at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.

RAYO VALLECANO VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS

Lamine Yamal goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (40th min, Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona)

Lamine Yamal wins the penalty and converts from the spot for Barca ?

Boos and whistles rain down as the Rayo fans aren’t convinced about the referee’s decision to award the spot kick ?

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— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 31, 2025

Barcelona take the lead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, with Yamal registering after being brought to the ground inside the box by Chavarria; the award was very soft indeed.

Fran Perez goal vs. Barcelona (67th min, Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona)

“It’s a stunning finish from Fran Perez!” ?️

Rayo are level against Barcelona thanks to a satisfying strike that went in off the underside of the bar ?

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— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 31, 2025

Rayo level the scores in the 67th minute of the match, and the goal comes from Perez, who volleys a corner from Isi Palazon into the back of the net at the far post; electric scenes inside from the stadium from the home fans.

MAN OF THE MATCH – LAMINE YAMAL

Rayo had a number of impressive performers on Sunday night, with Palazon the pick of their players, but Yamal was once again the best individual on the pitch, and he fully deserves this award.

The 18-year-old kept his nerve to score from the penalty spot, while he had three shots, completed three dribbles and made three tackles during an all-action performance in the Spanish capital. 

RAYO VALLECANO VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS

Possession: Rayo Vallecano 43%-57% Barcelona

Shots: Rayo Vallecano 12-12 Barcelona

Shots on target: Rayo Vallecano 6-3 Barcelona

Corners: Rayo Vallecano 9-4 Barcelona

Fouls: Rayo Vallecano 16-8 Barcelona

BEST STATS

1 – Against Rayo Vallecano, @FCBarcelona‘s Lamine Yamal has become the youngest player to score a penalty goal in LaLiga in the 21st Century (18 years and 49 days). Precocious. pic.twitter.com/wm4x4eZkVX

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 31, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways in La Liga when they host Valencia after the international break, with that match set for September 14 at their glorious new Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Rayo will look to make it three games unbeaten in all competitions when they continue their league season away to Osasuna on the same day.

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