Barcelona edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to increase its lead of the Spanish league and add more pressure on Real Madrid before its key derby against Atletico Madrid later Sunday.
Ronald Arajo headed in the winner in the 24th minute at Camp Nou, and Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garca’s impressive performance showed why he is most likely heading to the World Cup with Spain.
Second-place Madrid now trails Barcelona by seven points and can ill afford a slip when it hosts city rival Atletico. After this weekend there will be nine games left in the 38-round season.
“It was important to get these three points, even if it wasn’t our best game,” Garca said. “We needed to win, and now what the others do doesn’t depend on us.”
Arajo jumped over his marker and scored after Joo Cancelo’s corner to the far post.
Raphinha came close on three occasions to also scoring for the hosts in the first half. He shot wide on the break, forced goalkeeper Augusto Batalla to tip a shot over the bar, and hit the woodwork shortly after Arajo’s goal.
Garca saved a shot by Carlos Martn in the game’s opening minute, blocked Unai Lpez’s header early in the second half and got just enough on a low strike from Jorge de Frutos in the final moments to push it wide.
“This is why we bought him,” coach Hansi Flick said about Garca. Barcelona paid crosstown rival Espanyol 25 million euros (now $28.9 million) for Garca last summer.
Garca was included in Spain’s squad for the first time on Friday ahead of two friendly matches which will serve as warmups for this summer’s World Cup.
Arajo ‘feeling good’ after mental health break
Arajo stepped away from soccer from last November to early January because of what he said was a bout of depression caused by a longer struggle with anxiety. Since his return, the Uruguay defender has had to fill in where needed, mostly as a substitute, at center back or as a right back.
His start against Rayo was his first in La Liga since returning to action following his break to care for his mental health.
“I am feeling good, physically too,” Arajo said after the game where he played in place of injured Jules Kound.
“I am always here to help the team, whether I play at center back or right back,” Arajo said. “I always felt the support of Barcelona’s fans.”
