Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, marking their return to the top of the La Liga table for the first time in two months. The match, held on February 17, 2025, was a hard-fought encounter, with the Catalan side struggling to impose their dominance against a well-organized Rayo team. The only goal of the match came from a penalty converted by Robert Lewandowski in the first half.

The first half saw Barcelona initially take control, capitalizing on Rayo's high pressing to create several scoring opportunities. Despite early chances from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, it wasn't until the 28th minute that Barcelona found the breakthrough, thanks to a VAR-awarded penalty after Iñigo Martínez was fouled in the box by Pathé Ciss. Lewandowski made no mistake from the spot, giving Barça the lead.

However, Rayo Vallecano responded strongly, threatening to equalize on multiple occasions. Their best chance came just before halftime when Jorge De Frutos had a goal ruled out for offside due to interference from Randy Nteka. The second half continued in a similar vein, with Rayo pressing for an equalizer while Barcelona struggled to maintain possession. A late miss by De Frutos in the 90th minute allowed Barcelona to hold on for the win, but many observers noted that the team would need to improve significantly if they hope to maintain their position at the top of the table as the season progresses.

Despite the win, Barcelona's performance raised concerns, as they seemed disjointed and unable to convert their possession into clear chances. With 14 matches remaining in the season, the Catalans face the challenge of tightening their gameplay to compete effectively for the La Liga title.