European football: Barcelona tighten grip on top spot with win over Rayo Vallecano

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Ronald Araújo’s header helped Barcelona extend their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to seven points with a tight 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid host Atlético Madrid, who are fourth, later on in a derby clash.

Araújo nodded home João Cancelo’s corner after 24 minutes to secure the three points at Camp Nou but Joan García’s superb display in goal played just as big a part in their victory.

Hansi Flick’s side were caught snoozing in the opening stages but García made a fine save to deny Carlos Martín from close range. Called up by Luis de la Fuente to the Spanish national team, García made several excellent saves to keep Rayo at bay, with the Madrid side dominant in the second half.

And Flick told DAZN: “Joan is a fantastic player, and he’s showing why we signed him last summer. He was outstanding today.”

At the other end Raphinha was guilty of profligate finishing. The winger scuffed wide after picking Pathé Ciss’s pocket and charging through on goal. A few minutes later Ciss appeared to bring down Lamine Yamal in the area but the Barcelona player’s appeals were ignored by the referee.

Lamine Yamal’s superb cross, with the outside of his boot, created another fine chance for Raphinha but the Brazilian’s mis-hit effort was tipped over by Augusto Batalla.

The champions took the lead through Araújo’s header from João Cancelo’s corner midway through the first half. Araújo has not featured much since taking a mental health break late last year, but came on as a substitute in Barça’s 7-2 Champions League rout of Newcastle in midweek.

With Eric García rested, Flick started the Uruguayan at right-back and was rewarded with what proved to be the winner.

The Catalans came close to a second after the interval but Lamine Yamal dragged a low effort across the face of goal. Rayo then took control and started generating dangerous chances as they searched for an equaliser. Joan García denied Alvaro García and then produced a spectacular save to push away Unai López’s header.

Como’s players congratulate Máximo Perrone after the Argentinian put his side 5-0 up

Pacha Espino should have pulled the visitors level but, after beating Barça’s high defensive line and staying onside, curled over the bar. García pushed away a Jorge de Frutos drive before six minutes of stoppage time were added but Barça clung on.

In Serie A, Como kept their Champions League push on track with a thumping 5-0 win over rock-bottom Pisa. Assane Diao gave the home side the lead after just six minutes, then turned provider with the assist for Anastasios Douvikas to double the lead.

Martin Baturina made it 3-0 before half-time while Nico Paz and Máximo Perrone added second-half goals to give Como an emphatic victory. The result takes Como’s winning streak to five games.

Later on Sunday in Italy, Roma will seek to bounce back from exiting the Europa League to Bologna by improving their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, when they host Lecce, who would drop into the relegation zone on goal difference if they were to lose by more than one goal. In the evening match, a resurgent Fiorentina – who didn’t win in Serie A until December but were 16th before kick-off – will try to dent Inter’s title charge. The Nerazzurri have a five-point advantage over Milan and six over Napoli, who have both already won this weekend.