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Ronald Araújo scores the only goal as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano La Liga leaders Barca extend lead over second-placed Real Madrid to seven points Real host city rivals Atletico in Madrid derby at 20: 00 GMT Adwaidh Rajan FT: Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano That brings down the curtains on our live coverage of this La Liga game. You can read how the match unfolded in the match report by Marissa Thomas. But we will back later today to bring you all the updates from Atletico Madrid's visit to Real Madrid, who will look to keep pace with La Liga leaders Barca with a win. That game will kick-off at 20: 00 GMT, so until then, thanks for joining us, and see you later for the Madrid derby FT: Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano The 1-0 win against Rayo Vallecano sees Barcelona move seven points clear at the top. But second-placed Real Madrid can cut that deficit back to four points if they defeat local rivals Atletico Madrid in their meeting later in the day (20: 00 GMT). FT: Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Rayo Vallecano, in fact, ended the game by generating more expected goals (x G) than Barcelona. They posted an x G of 1. 8 compared to Barcelona's 1. 4. But Hansi Flick's side have goalkeeper Joan Garcia to thank for securing the three points today. FT: Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Barcelona have now kept a clean sheet in 12 of their 29 games in La Liga this season - no team has registered more. Hansi Flick's side have now also scored in their last 49 games in the Spanish top flight - their longest scoring streak since a run of 64 games from February 2012 to October 2013. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Barcelona hold on for a hard‑earned 1-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano. But it was far from pretty and the visitors pushed them all the way. Goalkeeper Joan García was Barca's standout performer of the game and that in itself tells its own story. Not their most convincing display but the La Liga leaders earn a vital three points in the title race. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Hansi Flick is visibly nervous in the Barcelona dugout as we inch towards the final whistle. His side are clinging on but they still have a few more minutes to negotiate this Rayo Vallecano pressure. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Six minutes have been added on at the end of the second half. And Barcelona are holding onto a precious 1-0 lead here but only just! Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano And there is more concern for Barcelona and Hansi Flick as full-back Joao Cancelo cannot continue after a knock. He is replaced by academy graduate Xavi Espart. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Joan Garcia is called into action again as he needs to dive to his right to deny Jorge de Frutos a late equaliser. He's been imperious for Barcelona today and if it wasn't for him, we might have had a very different scoreline now. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Marcus Rashford leads a rapid Barcelona counter-attack down the left wing. He effortlessly skips past a Rayo Vallecano challenge but is brought down by Isi Palazon unfairly. The Vallecano forward goes into the referee's book. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Barcelona looking far from settled in the closing stages. Substitute Sergio Camello robs possession off Joao Cancelo and crosses in from the byline and Alvaro Garcia almost nicks it off the gloves of goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano What a chance for Rayo Vallecano to draw level! Pacha Espino tries to curl his shot around Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia but it misses the top corner by inches. Barca are living dangerously here, with La Liga title on the line! Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano England forward Marcus Rashford is coming on for Barcelona. He replaces Lamine Yamal, who departs after a quiet afternoon. Rayo Vallecano also make their final change as Fran Perez is replaced by Sergio Camello. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Rayo Vallecano win two consecutive corners but they do not test the Barcelona defence. The home side get the ball forward quickly and goalkeeper Augusto Batalla has to come a long way off his line to get to the ball. Raphinha is there in a flash and wins the ball with the Vallecnao custodian left on the floor. However, their defence manages to get back in position and thwart the Barca attack. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano With a little more than 10 minutes to go of the second half, Barcelona have attempted six shots since the restart. But they are yet to register a shot on target in this second period. Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, have had two shots since restart and both of them have been on target. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano We are back underway now after a PA announcement inside Camp Nou asking supporters to refrain from using whistles in the stands - to not confuse the players. Not something you see often during a football game but normal services have resumed now. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano There is a slight delay here and we don't know what it's for. Referee Adrian Cordero Vega has gone to the Barcelona dugout to explain it to the home side's bench. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Pau Cubarsi sees the yellow card now as he slides into Rayo Vallecano striker Isi Palazon. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano You can feel a touch of impatience building around Camp Nou now. With 20 minutes to go and only a single goal separating the sides, there’s a growing frustration in the stands and on the pitch. Barcelona need another to settle this and keep their lead at the top of La Liga table intact. Or they know Real Madrid will be more than willing to capitalise. Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Pathe Ciss is now cautioned by Adrian Cordero Vega for another foul on Lamine Yamal. And Barcelona have another free-kick in a dangerous area. But once again, nothing comes out of Raphinha's set-piece delivery before Dani Olmo fires wide from distance. Ronald Araujo scored his third La Liga goal of the season Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a narrow victory over Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Nou Camp. Ronald Araujo headed home a Joao Cancelo corner to give the hosts the lead after 24 minutes. However, they could have been behind in the first minute when Carlos Martin had a tap in from six yards, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia raced out to close down the angle. That was Rayo's only shot on target in a largely uneventful first half. Raphinha fired an effort towards the top corner but it took a deflection and Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla did well to push it on to the crossbar. After the break, Garcia produced a brilliant save to stop Unai Lopez's close-range header from drawing Rayo level. 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 close the gap back to four points. Hansi Flick's side travel to Atletico after the international break on Saturday, 4 April before facing them twice more in the Champions League quarter-finals. Last Updated 22nd March 2026 at 15: 53 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Hansi Flick Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Iñigo Pérez Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Hansi Flick Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Iñigo Pérez Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Spanish La Liga All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.