Barca escape defeat thanks to own goal

Spain Conceding in the first half, Barca had to rely on an own goal to draw 1-1 with host Rayo Vallecano in round 14 of La Liga on the evening of November 25.

In the 82nd minute, in a quick counter-attack, the ball was passed from the center circle deep down the left side by Inigo Martinez for Alejandro Balde to run after and then cross into the penalty area for Lewandowski. In an attempt to block the Polish striker's header, defender Florian Lejeune touched his right foot, causing the ball to change direction and go into the net, leaving goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski unable to react. However, Barca had to wait a few more minutes for VAR to check before determining that Lewandowski was not offside when Barca initially kicked the ball long.

This is Barca's 13th goal in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in La Liga up to round 14 today. This number of goals is equivalent to nearly 50% of the total 27 goals Xavi's team has, showing that they tend to struggle for most of the time and can only create breakthroughs towards the end.

Lewandowski shares joy with Felix after the Vallecano defender scored an own goal, giving Barca the equalizer 1-1 at Vallecas in round 14 of La Liga on November 25. Photo: AFP

This scenario happened in the wins against Cadiz 2-0 (in round 2, with both goals in the last 15 minutes), Osasuna 2-1 (round 4, decisive goal in the 85th minute), Celta Vigo 3-2 (round 6, decisive goal in the 89th minute), Mallorca 2-2 draw (round 7, equalizer 2-2 in the 75th minute), Sevilla 1-0 win (round 8, own goal in the 76th minute), Granada 2-2 draw (round 9, equalizer 2-2 in the 85th minute), Bilbao 1-0 win (round 10, only goal in the 80th minute), Sociedad 1-0 (round 12, only goal in the 90+2 minute) and Alaves 2-1 win (round 13, decisive goal in the 77th minute).

Similar to the matches above, Barca still dominated today at Vallecas, with 67% possession, 15 shots, but only four in the direction of the goal. Meanwhile, Rayo only had 10 shots, also four on target.

Two of the home team's shots on target came in the 39th minute when they opened the scoring. From a free kick from the right, the Barca defence scrambled to clear the ball to Trejo. The midfielder's hammer-like shot hit a defender's foot and bounced back outside the box, just in time for Unai Lopez to volley with his right foot from about 25 metres, into the bottom corner at the near post. Goalkeeper Iñaki Peña - who replaced senior Ter Stegen, who was out injured - seemed to misjudge the direction of the ball and reacted slowly, failing to dive to block the Rayo midfielder's shot.

Yamal dribbles past Espino in the first half of the match at Vallecas. Photo: AFP

Barca's attack also had a disappointing 90 minutes, with Lewandowski playing the entire match but leaving no mark other than the one that led to an own goal. Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal were also disappointing.

The visitors' attack only improved in the final 15 minutes after coach Xavi brought on Raphinha for Yamal. The Brazilian winger was energetic and almost won Barca a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, when he rushed into the box to receive a pass from Gundogan and appeared to be fouled by home defender Alfonso Espino, who kicked the ball away. However, referee Munuera Montero refused to award the penalty, leaving Barca frustrated, with Xavi's assistant Sergio Alegre sent off for protesting.

Raphinha was tripped by Espino in the penalty area, but the referee did not award Barca a penalty until the end of the match at Vallecas. Photo: Mundo Deportivo

Because of this draw, Barca only has 31 points and missed the chance to surpass rival Real Madrid to take second place in the table. This is also not good preparation for Xavi and his team before the next two important matches - against Porto in the fifth round of Group H of the Champions League on November 29, then Atletico Madrid in the 15th round of La Liga on December 4.

Nhat Tao

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