FC Barcelona claimed top spot in LaLiga after coming from behind to defeat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at the Spotify Camp Nou on Monday.
Hansi Flick's side secured their third consecutive league victory of the season thanks to two goals each from wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, alongside an own goal by Rayo defender Florian Lejeune.
Sergio Camello scored twice for the visiting side, initially giving Rayo Vallecano a shock early lead before later reducing the deficit in the second half.
FC Barcelona, who play their home matches at the 105,000-capacity Spotify Camp Nou stadium in Catalonia, enter the new Spanish top-flight season under manager Hansi Flick seeking to build on their winning start following earlier league victories over Athletic Club and Elche.
Rayo Vallecano strike early at Camp Nou
Rayo Vallecano opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Álvaro García crafted a dangerous attack down the left flank before finding Sergio Camello, who finished neatly past Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García.
Barcelona responded two minutes later when Raphinha met a lofted cross inside the penalty area, only to see his effort turned away by Rayo goalkeeper Dani Cárdenas.
The hosts drew level in the 19th minute through Raphinha, who capped off a fine individual run inside the box to make it 1-1.
Just two minutes later, in the 21st minute, Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead. The young winger seized on sustained pressure inside the Rayo penalty area to score a brilliant goal and turn the match around.
Barcelona continued to push forward, with Raphinha setting up Pedri from a 28th-minute free kick, though the midfielder sent his effort high over the bar.
Rayo Vallecano suffered a setback in the 33rd minute when Jozhua Vertrouwd was forced off through injury, replaced by Adriá Pedrosa. Vertrouwd had previously been penalised for a sixth-minute foul near the penalty box.
Anthony Gordon tested Cárdenas with a central shot from the edge of the area in the 36th minute, before Rayo's Gnangoro Bouare saw a soft shot comfortably saved by Joan García a minute later.
Marc Bernal almost extended the lead in the 40th minute with a powerful long-range strike, forcing an impressive save from Cárdenas to yield a corner.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Barcelona thought they had scored a third when Jules Koundé converted a rebound from Gordon's saved shot in the 45th minute. However, following a video review, the referee disallowed the goal for offside in the 45+1 minute.
The referee added three minutes of extra time before bringing the first half to a close with Barcelona leading 2-1.
Second half goals seal Barcelona victory
Barcelona extended their advantage seven minutes into the second half. Anthony Gordon broke down the left wing in the 52nd minute and delivered a sharp cross into the box, which Rayo defender Florian Lejeune deflected into his own net.
Rayo made a double substitution in the 58th minute, introducing Pedro Díaz and Fran Pérez for Gnangoro Bouare and Jorge de Frutos.
The move paid immediate dividends a minute later when Camello headed home from a 59th-minute corner kick to score his second of the afternoon and bring Rayo within one goal at 3-2.
Camello nearly equalised in the 60th minute, but Joan García produced a crucial save to preserve Barcelona's lead.
Flick refreshed his squad in the 64th minute, sending on Fermín López and Rodri to replace Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal.
Barcelona restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute through a swift counterattack. Gordon destabilised the Rayo defence on the left before delivering a precise assist to Raphinha, who swept home his second goal of the match.
Rayo Vallecano made further substitutions in the 75th minute, bringing on Alemao and Randy Nteka for Camello and Unai López.
Flick made two more changes in the 78th minute, introducing Joao Cancelo and Karim Adeyemi for Pedri and Gordon.
Adeyemi almost added a fifth in the 80th minute with a forceful strike from the edge of the penalty area, but Cárdenas saved well. Two minutes later, Nteka led a dangerous Rayo counterattack in the 82nd minute, only for Joan García to block his shot.
Joao Cancelo sent a shot over the crossbar in the 85th minute, before Raphinha made way for Hamza Abdelkarim in the 86th minute.
Lamine Yamal completed his own double in the 90th minute, sealing the 5-2 victory with a late finish.
Rayo defender Adriá Pedrosa received a yellow card in the 90th minute, before the referee added five minutes of stoppage time prior to the final whistle.
Team line-ups and refereeing appointments
Barcelona lined up in a starting team featuring Joan García in goal behind a defensive line of Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, and Xavi Espart. Pedri and Marc Bernal operated in midfield, with Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon, and Dani Olmo supporting Raphinha up front.
Rayo Vallecano selected Dani Cárdenas in goal, protected by Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Pathé Ciss, and Jozhua Vertrouwd. Gnangoro Bouare, Óscar Valentín, and Unai López formed the midfield trio, with Jorge de Frutos and Álvaro García supporting central striker Sergio Camello.
Both teams contended with notable squad absences. Barcelona were without Roony Bardghji, Marc Casadó, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Dominik Livakovic due to injuries and technical decisions. Rayo Vallecano were missing goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, who suffered a fractured tibia, alongside injured duo Luiz Felipe and Isi Palazón.
The match was refereed by Francisco Hernández, assisted by touchline officials Iván Massó and Abraham Pérez. Álvaro Canovas served as fourth official, with Raúl González leading VAR duties alongside AVAR Alejandro Muñiz.
Form guide, odds and broadcast coverage
Barcelona entered the fixture as overwhelming betting favourites across major sportsbooks, quoted at 1.14 on Bet365, 1.15 on Betano, 1.16 on Betsson, Caliente and Doradobet, and 1.18 on 1XBet. Draw odds ranged from 7.10 to 9.00, while a Rayo Vallecano win was priced between 15.00 and 22.00.
The victory follows Barcelona's positive recent form, including a 2-0 win over Athletic Club, a 5-0 victory over Elche, a 2-1 win against Al Ahly, and a 5-2 win over Basel, alongside a 1-0 loss to Udinese.
Rayo Vallecano arrived winless in recent outings, having drawn 1-1 with Alavés and suffered defeats to Sevilla (2-1), Ipswich (3-0), and Feyenoord (2-1), alongside a victory against Charleroi (3-2).
The encounter was broadcast live across South America on ESPN and streamed via Disney Plus, with Spanish viewers tuning in on M+ LaLiga and LaLiga TV Bar. Coverage in the United States was provided by ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, while Sky Sports aired the match in Mexico.
