FC Barcelona have won the three points that they needed to make sure of second place in La Liga 2023/24 and with that the last remaining slot at next season’s Spanish Super Cup.
They led Rayo Vallecano from the third minute thanks to a splendid Lewandowski finish, but it took an hour for any further change in the score. Two goals in quick succession from Pedri and it was all over.
There’s still one more game to come away to Sevilla next week, but as far as Liga positions are concerned, it will matter for nothing. The job has already been done!
Lewandowski early doors
The early opener was created by Lamine Yamal on the day that he became the youngest player ever to make 50 appearances for Barça. The teenager lashed the ball into the area and as he is wont to do, Robert Lewandowski made a difficult finish look ridiculously easy.
The Pole collected the ball on his chest, and spun round to smash the ball home. 1-0.
With the fans enjoying their final chance to see a game at the Estadi Olimpic this season, there was plenty of noise to accompany every blaugrana advance. But an easy ride this was not. Rayo still needed a point to make absolutely sure of first division football season.
The biggest problem was Stole Dimitrievski. The Macedonian keeper produced brilliant saves to deny Lewandowski a second, and also kept out powerful and accurate long-range strikes from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez.
And the other end there were two or three moments of very real danger when Rayo counter-attacked, with Ter Stegen doing especially well to block a big chance for Isi Palazón.
Pedri double
A bit of Barça magic was needed, and late in the second half we finally got it.
The day’s highlight was Joao Felix’s dazzling piece of skill to create the original shot. That was blocked by the keeper, but substitute Pedri caught the rebound and sent in ricocheting off defenders, then the crossbar and ultimately into the net.
Moments later, an immense ball up the park from Ronald Araujo was met by the same Pedri. Three Rayo defenders tried in vain to rid the Canary Islander of the ball. Pedri was having none of it. His second and Barça's third. And the MVP award to boot.
Super stuff!
The news that Girona were also winning their own game 3-0 mattered for nothing. Nothing they can do do catch Barça now, who will be flying the flag for Catalonia in Saudi Arabia next January.
And Barça have also finally put an end to an extraordinary run of five games without a win against Rayo. But the visitors will take immense consolation from the fact that although they lost today, Cádiz’s failure to beat Las Palmas means they are mathematically guaranteed first division football again next season.
In the end, everybody goes home happy!