Rayo Vallecano rally to end Barcelona’s perfect season start

Barcelona’s perfect start to the 2025/26 La Liga season has hit a bump in the road away at Rayo Vallecano.

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.

Images via Getty Images/One Football