Barcelona are back on top of La Liga after scrapping a 1-0 victory over visiting Rayo Vallecano thanks to a Robert Lewandowski penalty in their league fixture on Monday night.
The Catalans came into the clash knowing that a win of any kind would see them go top of the league, after closest challengers Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both dropped points over the weekend.
Barca dominated possession but it was Rayo who looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the early exchanges until Lewandowski broke the deadlock for the home side when he converted a penalty in the 28th minute.
Rayo should have scored a late equaliser, but Jorge de Frutos missed a close-range header in stoppage time as Hansi Flick’s men held on for a crucial win in La Liga.
Barcelona are now level on 51 points with Real Madrid, but ahead on goal difference while Rayo Vallecano remain in sixth spot with 35 points.