Barcelona’s perfect start to the La Liga season concluded on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, in a match dominated by the absence of the video review system (VAR). The draw, which saw the reigning champions struggle to maintain control, allowed rivals Real Madrid to climb to the top of the league standings.
The match’s main point of contention came in the 40th minute when Lamine Yamal was awarded a penalty after being tripped by Pep Chavarría. Rayo players and staff protested the call, but with the VAR system reportedly down, the referee's decision stood, and Yamal converted the spot-kick to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead. After scoring, the young forward mimicked placing a crown on his head, later commenting, "They had fouled me, I felt confident and I always am ready to put the team on my back."
Despite the lead, Barcelona struggled to control the pace of the game, with Rayo's fast-paced attacks causing constant problems. Rayo goalkeeper Joan García was the hero for the home side, making five crucial saves, including two one-on-one stops, to keep his team in the contest. His efforts were rewarded in the 67th minute when Fran Pérez scored with a volley from a corner, leveling the score.
The post-match discussion was centered on the VAR malfunction. Rayo coach Íñigo Pérez, who was booked for his protests during the match, later apologized for his behavior, but also expressed his frustration with the situation. “I am a firm defender of the referee’s right to make mistakes," he said. "What made me lose my cool was that you can’t start playing with video review and then be told that now you are playing without it.”
With the draw, Barcelona now sits on seven points from three games, trailing Real Madrid, who secured a 2-1 victory over Mallorca to take the top spot in the league. The result is a wake-up call for coach Hansi Flick, who admitted his team has work to do. "We have to control the ball better," Flick said. "We have to be happy with the point. JoSri Lankaan García played a fantastic match today.”