Football news - Barcelona restore seven-point lead with comeback win over Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona fought back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and restore their seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.

On loan Real Madrid forward Raul de Tomas gave the visitors to Camp Nou a shock lead in the first half, firing home from the edge of the box on the break. However, goals from Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez saw the hosts complete a comeback.

Rayo did well to hold Barcelona at arm’s length for much of the first half, but their defensive resolve was finally broken when Pique headed home from a Messi free-kick just minutes before the half-time whistle.

Barcelona cranked things up in the second half with Messi scoring from the penalty spot to put his side ahead after 50 minutes and Suarez finishing off an excellent attacking move eight minutes from the end to secure the three points. Ernesto Valverde’s side will now prepare to face Lyon in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie.

The Brazilian playmaker had only been off the pitch for a matter of seconds, it’s possible he hadn’t even taken his seat on the bench, by the time Barcelona scored a wonderful third goal. This was a chance for Philippe Coutinho to show that he deserves a place in this Barca team, but instead it was yet another sign of how the Catalan club have a real problem when it comes to finding a place for their record signing.

In the end, Barcelona’s big names picked their performance up after a difficult start to the match. Indeed, Messi, Pique and Suarez, the three goalscorers, were the key men for the Catalans, but it was the latter who played the biggest role in ensuring Barca fought back from 1-0 down to keep their seven-point lead at the top of La Liga. Rayo’s defence just couldn’t cope with the Uruguayan’s movement.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Semedo 7, Pique 8, Umtiti 6, Alba 6, Arthur 7, Busquets 7, Vidal 5, Coutinho 4, Suarez 8, Messi 7. Subs - Rakitic 7, Malcom 6, Dembele 7.

Rayo Vallecano - Dimitrievski 6, Advincula 6, Amat 4, Velazquez 6, Galvez 5, Moreno 6, Imbula 5, Comesana 5, Bebe 5, Alvaro 6, De Tomas 8. Subs - Embarba 5, Pozo 5.

24’ Bad miss from Coutinho! Wonderful passing play from Barcelona to open up the Rayo Vallecano defence, with Messi setting up Coutinho, but from eight yards out the Brazilian shoots straight at the keeper.

25’ GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Rayo Vallecano: What a goal! It's a surprise opener for Rayo Vallecano! De Tomas, on loan from Real Madrid, created the chance for himself and bent a finish into the bottom, right-hand corner of Ter Stegen's net from outside the box. That was wonderful.

39’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Rayo Vallecano: This time, Barcelona break down Rayo Vallecano's defensive resolve! Messi finds Pique at the near post and the centre back leaps high to thunder home a header! Barca are back on level terms and there's an air of relief around Camp Nou!

49’ PENALTY KICK TO BARCELONA! Amat brings down Semedo as he cut back at the byline and the assistant flagged for the spot kick.

50’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Rayo Vallecano: Barcelona have the lead after a VAR review confirms the award of the penalty kick! There was a little hop from Messi in the run up and he slides a low finish into the bottom, right-hand corner of the net. Dimitrievski dives the wrong way.

70’ Off the line! Moreno takes the rather unusual step of breaking from the Rayo wall and backtracking to his own goal line. Just as well, because he was on hand to head over Messi's freekick.

82’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Rayo Vallecano: That goal should seal things for Barcelona! It was a free-flowing attacking move from the Catalans, with Rakitic releasing Semedo, the pass played into Messi and then Suarez set up for the finish from about six yards out. Great goal.