Barcelona secured a hard-fought victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Nou Camp, moving seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Ronald Araujo’s header from a Joao Cancelo corner gave the hosts the lead after 24 minutes. However, Rayo could have been ahead in the opening minute when Carlos Martin had a close-range tap-in, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia raced out to narrow the angle. This proved to be Rayo’s only shot on target in a largely uneventful first half.
Raphinha tested Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, whose excellent save tipped the Brazilian’s deflected effort onto the crossbar. After the break, Garcia produced another brilliant stop to deny Unai Lopez’s close-range header from levelling the score. Pacha Espino curled a shot over the bar for Rayo in the 83rd minute as Barca clung on for a vital win.
Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid later on Sunday (20:00 GMT) as they look to reduce the gap back to four points. Hansi Flick’s side travel to Atletico after the international break on Saturday, 4th April, before facing them twice more in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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