Barcelona score two late goals in comeback win over Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona pulled off a remarkable late comeback against Rayo Vallecano, coming from 2-1 down with just three minutes left to win 3-2.

The result puts Ernesto Valverde’s side four points clear at the top of the Liga table following Atletico Madrid’s draw against Leganes earlier in the day, with Alaves set to play on Sunday. But Barca had to work for the three points.

They took the lead after just 10 minutes when Luis Suarez finished from close range following a cut back by Jordi Alba. But from that point on, Barcelona lost control of the game, with Jose Angel Pozo equalising 10 minutes before the break, whipping a finish in off the inside of the post.

Rayo Vallecano took the lead just before the hour mark when Alvaro Garcia scored with his first touch off the bench, finishing at the back post after Raul de Tomas struck the woodwork with a header.

It looked like that would be enough for the hosts, who looked the more likely to score the next goal, but Barcelona scored twice in three minutes; first through Ousmane Dembele and then through Suarez, who slid in at the far post to complete the comeback.

This win saw Barcelona extend their lead at the top of the Liga standings, following on from victories in El Clasico last weekend and the Copa del Rey during the week. But Valverde mustn’t ignore his side’s failings just because Real Madrid are doing worse. Barca look extremely vulnerable at the back right now. A better team than Rayo would have made more of that.

2-1 down with less than 30 minutes left to play… this was the sort of situation Messi usually rescues Barca from. But with the Argentinean missing through injury the onus was on Suarez to stand up, and he delivered. It was through the sheer will of the Uruguayan striker that the Catalans came away with three points, not just scoring the winner, but demanding his team-mates keep going until the very last whistle. That willpower made the difference in the end.

Rayo Vallecano - Garcia 6, Advincula 7, Galvez 6, Amat 7, Moreno 5, Comesana 6, Embarba 7, Imbula 7, Trejo 7, Garcia 8, de Tomas 8. Subs - Velazquez 5, Alegria 6, Garcia 7.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 5, Pique 5, Lenglet 5, Alba 7, Rakitic 6, Busquets 5, Arthur 6, Rafinha 5, Suarez 9, Coutinho 7. Subs - Munir 5, Dembele 7, Vidal 5.

10’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Barcelona: Well, it didn't take long for Suarez to make his mark on this game. Barcelona have the lead after just 10 minutes, with Suarez finishing from close range after a cut back from the byline by Alba. That was just too easy for the Catalans.

32’ What a sitter! Rayo Vallecano should have equalised! De Tomas does brilliantly to square into the box for Pozo, who is presented with a gaping goal. But he somehow shoots wide!

35’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Barcelona: Well, well, well. The hosts have equalised and what an equaliser it was! The ball fell to Pozo 20 yards out, he got it out of his feet and whipped a strike into the net off the inside of the post! There was no way Ter Stegen was getting to that!

41’ So unlucky! Wow, that would have been some goal. Barcelona strung together a number of quick passes, then Suarez takes the pot-shot from the edge of the box, but it comes back off the post!

51’ What an opportunity! Rayo Vallecano really should be ahead! Embarba was played clean through on goal, it was a decent shot from the attacker, but Ter Stegen makes the save with his legs.

58’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Barcelona: He's scored with his first touch! Barcelona are behind! De Tomas gets across goal, heads on to the post, but Garcia is on hand to finish into the empty net! What a turnaround we have seen in this match! Incredible.

87’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Barcelona: A late equaliser! Dembele has spared Barcelona's blushes! It's an excellent finish from the French winger, who found the far corner of the net with a first-time shot on the bounce. It caught Garcia in the Rayo goal completely by surprise.

90’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Barcelona: An incredible turnaround! Two goals in three minutes have seen Barcelona rescue this situation and they have pinched it right at the death! Suarez got in at the back post to finish on the slide. It's heartbreak for Rayo Vallecano! They can't believe it.

Luis Suarez has now scored six goals in his last three matches for Barcelona in all competitions.

Barcelona conceded their first goal from outside the box this season.