Barcelona fights back to draw at Rayo Vallecano

The La Liga champions is third in the standing on 31 points, one behind second-placed Real Madrid and three back from surprise leaders Girona, both of whom have a game in hand.

FC Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan (l) shakes hands with Robert Lewandowski after the match | Photo Credit: REUTERS / Isabel Infantes

Barcelona rescued a point with a 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday thanks to a late second-half own-goal by defender Florian Lejeune.

The La Liga champions is third in the standing on 31 points, one behind second-placed Real Madrid and three back from surprise leaders Girona, both of whom have a game in hand.

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Rayo started the game on top and outclassed last season’s champions throughout the first half before opening the scoring with a brilliant strike from range by midfielder Unai Lopez in the 39th minute.

Barca came back with urgency after the break and eventually equalise thanks to a mistake by Rayo defender Lejeune, who sent the ball into his own net with the tip of his boot as he tried to clear a cross in the 82nd minute.