LaLiga 2024: Dani Olmo Strikes On Debut To Help Barcelona Crush Rayo Vallecano 2-1

New signing Dani Olmo's late goal sealed Barcelona's 2-1 comeback win over Rayo Vallecano, keeping their perfect La Liga start intact.

New Delhi: New signing Dani Olmo’s late goal secured a tense 2-1 comeback win for Barcelona over Rayo Vallecano, maintaining their perfect start to the La Liga season.

After missing out in Barca’s first two games of the season as he was unregistered due to club’s financial struggle and failure in compiling with LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, Olmo came off the bench in the second half of the game to provide the much needed energy to Barca on his debut game after signing from RB Leipzig.

He netted the goal in the 82nd minute of the game after Pedri’s wonderful equalizer filled with elegance and composure in the 60th minute had cancelled out Unai Lopez’s early opener for Rayo.

With this victory, Barcelona stands at the top of the table with nine points from three games, while Rayo sits in eighth with four points.

Vallecas has been a challenging venue for Barcelona, as the Catalan giant hadn’t secured a league victory there since November 2018. Rayo dominated the first half, taking an early lead in the ninth minute through a swift counter-attack initiated by Jorge de Frutos and finished by Lopez.

Alvaro Garcia and Isi Palazon had excellent opportunities as Rayo began the match with intensity, pressing Barcelona high and launching dangerous counter-attacks.

But Barca was fresh after the break, as manager Hansi Flick bringing the attacking mid-fielder Olmo off the bench.

The lively Olmo scored three goals in helping Spain win Euro 2024 as joint top scorer and was included in UEFA’s team of the tournament alongside five fellow countrymen.

In the 57, Olmo let loose with a powerful long-range shot which rattled off the crossbar, continuing to give Rayo’s defence much problems throughout the game.

Barcelona leveled in the 60th minute, almost immediately after Pedri prompted a quick counter and played the ball out left to Raphinha. The attacking midfielder burst forward to receive it back on the right and drove his finish into the bottom right corner.

Robert Lewandowski had been celebrating his goal in the 71st minute, but it was ruled out because referee Cesar Soto Grado never counted it after being advised by VAR of a foul in the build-up.

In any case, Barcelona won the game with a nicely worked move between Olmo and Lamine Yamal. Yamal drove to the byline and cut the ball back to an unmarked Olmo, who curled an accurate strike into the far corner.