Barcelona’s perfect start to the 2025/26 La Liga season has hit a bump in the road away at Rayo Vallecano.
2025/2026 La Liga
1-1
Match Report
La Blaugrana have struggled on recent trips to Vallecas, with just one win in their last four league trips there, and they came up short again in the capital.
The build up to the game focused heavily on Rayo and the state of the pitch at the Estadio de Vallecas despite club president Raul Martin Presa’s comments.
Presa claimed there was no issue with the playing surface, following La Liga and UEFA green lights on games being played there, but he indicated the club need to consider moving to a new stadium in the near future.
An entertaining start in Vallecas saw chances at both ends before Lamine Yamal controversially slotted home his first ever Barcelona penalty.
The teenager went down inside the box following a challenge by Pep Chavarría, and despite appeals, the decision stood.
Lamine Yamal’s conversion was further mired in controversy amid claims VAR was not activated correctly in the aftermath of the officials looking into the foul.
Dani Olmo wasted chances either side of the break, but Rayo were stung into action after the hour mark, with an equaliser ruled out for offside.
However, that was only a brief setback, as Fran Perez emphatically volleyed home Isi Palazon’s corner for his first club goal.
Rayo swarmed the defending champions late on, as Joan Garcia made two key late saves, to preserve a point for Hansi Flick.
With the September international break incoming, Barcelona are next in action at home to Valencia on September 14 with hope remaining they can host Los Che at the Estadio Camp Nou.
Rayo go into the break with four points from their first three league games of 2025/26 and head to Osasuna on the same day as Barcelona’s return.
Full time pic.twitter.com/jeueull4xF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 31, 2025
Data Debrief: Yamal's spark not enough for Barcelona
Yamal was a bright spark on a frustrating day for Barcelona, having three shots worth 0.87 expected goals (xG), while he also added yet another record to his name.
He has become the youngest player to score a penalty in LaLiga in the 21st century, at just 18 years and 49 days.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
4' Yamal comes inside on his left and hammers one straight at Augusto Batalla
6' CLOSE! Lopez gives it straight to Raphinha whose low shot is just wide
12' Garcia finds the perfect cross in for Jorge but Garcia pulls off a great save!
26' Raphinha sets the free-kick for Olmo but it's saved by the keeper
30' Raphinha into the box and looks to square it for Torres but the pass is off
40' Penalty Goal! Yamal wins it and opens the scoring! Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona
46' What a stunning save from Joan Garcia to keep Barca in front!
49' Olmo misses a great chance as he puts it over about six yards from goal
54' Andreas Christensen slides in and intercepts a cross at the vital moment
67' GOAL! Fran Perez volleys in the corner to equalize! Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona
73' Another great save from Garcia to deny the one-on-one chance!
78' Gerard Martin and Robert Lewandowski replace Alejandro Balde and Ferran Torres
79' Rashford sends in a brilliant corner and Garcia heads over at the back post
83' Lamine Yamal gets down in the box and the referee says no penalty
86' Isi Palazon scores for Rayo but the flag is raised for OFFSIDE
90' Garcia is having an incredible night and pulls off another stunning save
Line-ups
Vallecano XI: Lejeune, Unai López, Álvaro García, Augusto Batalla, Isi Palazón, Pedro Díaz, Luiz Felipe, Jorge de Frutos, Pathé Ciss, Andrei Rațiu, Pep Chavarría
Subs: Oscar Trejo, Balliu, Gumbau, Alfonso Espino, Óscar Valentín, Dani Cárdenas, Sergio Camello, Randy Nteka, Fran Pérez, Pelayo Fernández, Jozhua Vertrouwd, Samu Becerra
Barcelona XI: Christensen, Olmo, De Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Joan García, Balde, Yamal
Subs: Szczesny, Lewandowski, Rashford, Araujo, Casado, Fermín López, Gerard Martín, Cubarsi, Diego Kochen, Dro Fernández, Toni Fernández, Jofre Torrents