Lewandowski’s penalty against Rayo Vallecano sends Barcelona top of LaLiga table
Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski, scored a penalty in the first half to give his team a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
The win moves the Catalans top of the LaLiga table.
Barca have taken advantage of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid dropping points over the weekend, to leapfrog them from third-place to the top of the standings.
Hansi Flick’s are level on 51 points with Real but ahead on goal difference.
Atletico trail both by a point, while Vallecano are sixth on 35 points.
Barca had to put up a big fight to end Rayo’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the league.
But the game did not go without several controversial decisions by the referee.
Pathé Ciss fouled Iñigo Martínez inside the box and referee Mario Melero Lopez awarded the hosts a penalty following a lengthy VAR check.
Lewandowski stepped up to score the winner from the spot in the 28th minute.
Rayo players were left fuming when their pleas for a penalty was waved off, after Pau Cubarsí appeared to foul Ciss – an incident they felt was similar to the one when Barca were awarded the spot kick.
Jorge de Frutos’ goal was also harshly ruled out in the 42nd minute.
Lewandowski’s penalty against Rayo Vallecano sends Barcelona top of LaLiga table
