BARCELONA, Spain (Interstat) — Ronald Araújo’s first-half header was enough for Barcelona to begin its La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over a stubborn Rayo Vallecano on Sunday at Spotify Camp Nou.

In a match where the defending champions dominated possession but struggled to translate it into clear chances, the Uruguayan defender provided the decisive moment in the 24th minute. The goal came from a well-worked set piece, with Raphinha delivering a precise corner kick from the left flank. Araújo rose highest in a crowded penalty area to power his header past Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

The early goal, however, did not spark the fluid attacking performance expected from the home side. Rayo Vallecano, under manager Francisco Rodríguez, organized a disciplined defensive block and frequently disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm in the midfield. The visitors offered a sporadic threat on the counter-attack but failed to seriously test Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen throughout the 90 minutes.

The match was a physical and often fractious affair, reflected in the eight yellow cards issued by referee Javier Alberola Rojas. Barcelona’s Raphinha, who assisted the goal, was booked in the eighth minute for a late challenge. Teammate Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old forward, also received a caution in the 26th minute. Rayo Vallecano’s substitutes made an immediate impact on the game’s discipline, with Óscar Valentín, Francisco Perez and Pathé Ciss all entering the referee’s book shortly after coming onto the pitch. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí and Rayo’s Isi Palazón were also cautioned in the second half.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández introduced several attackers in search of a second, insurance goal, but the final pass often eluded his team. Rayo Vallecano’s resilience kept the margin at a single goal, ensuring a tense finale. The visitors pressed for a late equalizer in stoppage time, but Barcelona’s defense, marshaled by the goal-scorer Araújo, held firm to secure the three points.

The result defied the pre-match projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 2-1 Barcelona victory. Their ELO rating system had given Barcelona a 93.6 percent probability to win, a figure that underscored the stark difference in expectations between the two sides. While Barcelona ultimately validated its status as heavy favorite, the performance was more workmanlike than dominant.

With the win, Barcelona opens its La Liga season with a victory and a clean sheet, starting its title defense on a positive note. The club’s record across all competitions now stands at one win and no losses. For Rayo Vallecano, the defeat marks a disappointing start to the league campaign, leaving them still searching for their first point. Their record in all competitions also stands at no wins and one loss.

The match highlighted Barcelona’s continued reliance on defensive contributions for goals in tight contests, while also exposing ongoing challenges in breaking down deep-lying opponents. For Rayo Vallecano, the performance demonstrated defensive organization but a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Both teams will look to build on aspects of this performance as the long Spanish season continues.