Barcelona Stumble in Heated 1-1 Draw as VAR Fails

MADRID – Barcelona dropped their first points of the La Liga season in a controversial 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, a match overshadowed by a malfunctioning Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system that could not review the penalty decision that decided the game’s opening goal.

The controversy erupted in the 40th minute when referee Mateo Busquets awarded Barcelona a penalty for Pep Chavarria’s challenge on teenager Lamine Yamal. With the VAR system down, the on-field decision stood without the possibility of a review, and Yamal converted from the spot to give the champions the lead.

Both teams had been informed of the technical issue before kickoff, but the decision ignited furious protests from Rayo and set a tempestuous tone for the remainder of the match. The indignant home crowd voiced its fury at every decision, creating a hostile atmosphere at the Estadio de Vallecas.

Rayo, buoyed by their midweek qualification for the Conference League group stage, fought back valiantly. Substitute Fran Pérez thrashed home a 67th-minute equalizer, stealing in unmarked at the back post to convert a corner and secure a deserved point for the hosts.

The home side could have even won the match, but were repeatedly denied by outstanding saves from Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García. The keeper made point-blank stops to deny Andrei Ratiu and Jorge de Frutos, and was relieved when substitute Sergio Camello miscued a shot with the goal at his mercy in the final minute.

For Barcelona, the dropped points will be a frustration, compounded by a glaring miss from Daniel Olmo who skied a chance over the bar immediately after taking the lead, sparking an angry reaction from coach Hansi Flick.

The result means Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are now the only two clubs with a perfect record after three matches. Barcelona, meanwhile, will rue a contentious draw defined by a technological failure that left a cloud over the fixture.