Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona: Lejeune own goal rescues point for Champions

Barcelona salvaged a point with a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday thanks to defender Florian Lejeune's late second-half own goal.

The La Liga champions are third in the table with 31 points, one point behind second-placed Real Madrid and three points behind surprise leaders Girona, both of whom have a game in hand.

They could be overtaken by fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand and will play lowly Mallorca later on Saturday.

Injuries to key players such as goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and midfielder Gavi, who suffered an ACL tear in Spain's win over Georgia, forced Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez to make six changes to the team that fought back to win 2-1 against lowly Alaves in their previous game, but his side continued to struggle.

Rayo dominated the first half and outclassed last season's champions before opening the scoring in the 39th minute with a brilliant strike from range by midfielder Unai Lopez.

Lopez pounced on a loose ball from a rebound and fired just inside the left post after Barcelona's defense blocked two attempts from their opponents in a crowded penalty box following a free kick.

After the break, Barcelona came out firing and equalized thanks to a blunder by Rayo defender Lejeune, who sent the ball into his own net with the tip of his boot while attempting to clear a cross in the 82nd minute.

"We didn't play well, we weren't at our level. We have to work harder," said midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who returned to the starting lineup after missing 10 games due to injury.

"We have a good team, the plan is good, everyone ran as much as they could, but we have to be consistent. We have a lot of injuries, it's true, but there is a lot of season left to bounce back."

SportsLigue