Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Barcelona: Blaugrana miss chance to go 14 points clear

Barcelona missed the chance to go 14 points clear at the top of LaLiga as they were beaten 2-1 by Rayo Vallecano. 

Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia got the goals for Rayo in Vallecas, while Barça replied late on through Robert Lewandowski. 

Barca remain 11 clear of Real Madrid with just seven games to be played but this was a missed opportunity after Los Blancos left at Girona on Tuesday. 

For Rayo, that is now 10 points from a possible 12 against Barça -- three wins and one draw -- since they returned to the Primera Division in 2021.

Pedri returned to the Barça starting lineup but he was robbed of the ball early on, Marc-Andre ter Stegen saving from Sergio Camello to spare his blushes. 

Rayo soon had the lead, though, when Alvaro finished nicely after Gavi had been robbed off the ball. 

Stole Dimitrievski denied Lewandowski, who then had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside as Rayo got to the break with a slender lead. 

That advantage doubled early in the second half when on loan Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia converted after Rayo won the ball back again.

Lewandowski got Barça back into the game late on with a great finish but there was to be no late turnaround as Rayo held on for a deserved win.