Barcelona dropped their first points of the La Liga season after being held to a 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano.
Lamine Yamal’s disputed penalty gave the champions the lead shortly before half-time, but Fran Pérez equalised after the break in Madrid. Rayo, roared on by a lively Vallecas crowd, created the better chances and might easily have claimed all three points but for the outstanding performance of Barça goalkeeper Joan García.
Signed in the summer from Espanyol, García produced a string of excellent saves, denying Andrei Rațiu early on and later thwarting both Isi Palazón and Jorge de Frutos as Rayo pressed. His heroics ensured Hansi Flick’s side escaped with a point despite their defensive fragility once again being exposed.
The breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Yamal, 18, went down under pressure from Pep Chavarría. Rayo’s protests were fierce, claiming the winger had forced the collision, but with VAR unavailable due to technical problems the referee’s decision stood. Yamal calmly converted from the spot.
Rayo almost levelled instantly through Palazón, before Dani Olmo spurned a golden chance to double Barça’s advantage when he blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
The hosts finally equalised early in the second half. A corner evaded several players in the box and Pérez pounced, smashing his effort in off the crossbar. Moments later, De Frutos broke clear only to be denied by García, who also produced a superb late stop from Palazón.
Rațiu thought he had snatched a winner when he tucked home after a scramble, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Barcelona remain fourth in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid and level with Athletic Bilbao after three rounds. Flick’s side, despite their attacking talent, continue to show the same defensive lapses that forced them into a comeback victory at Levante a week earlier.
