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Barcelona beat Rayo to stay top after a crucial LaLiga win
FC Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou, a result that keeps them at the top of LaLiga and extends their lead in the standings.
The match was decided in the first half, when Ronald Araújo headed in a corner taken by João Cancelo in the 24th minute. Before that, the visiting side had had a clear chance right at the start, but the Barça goalkeeper prevented the goal with a quick intervention. The match did not have a high tempo or many chances, although Barça created danger in isolated actions. Raphinha came close to a second with a shot that hit the crossbar after a deflection, while Rayo barely threatened with one shot on target in the entire first half.After the break, the Madrid team sought an equaliser more insistently, but came up against a great performance by the home goalkeeper, who prevented a goal in one of the clearest chances of the match. In the final minutes, Barça held on to secure three key points in the title race.
The victory allows Hansi Flick’s side to remain leaders, although Real Madrid closed the gap after beating Atlético de Madrid in the derby.
The immediate calendar raises the demands even further. Barcelona will visit Atlético on 4 April in LaLiga and, shortly afterwards, will play at home in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against the same red-and-white side, in a tie that will set the course of the season.