Araujo header and Garcia heroics secures Barcelona's narrow win over Rayo

BARCELONA, March 22 : Ronald Araujo's first-half header gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at home against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia delivering a standout performance to preserve the Catalan side's lead at the top of LaLiga.

Barcelona lead the standings with 73 points, seven ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and will host fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in a Spanish capital derby later on Sunday.

Ronald Araujo scored the winner in the 24th minute heading in from a corner lifted by Joao Cancelo from the left. The Portuguese international crossed the ball to the far post, where the Uruguayan defender jumped higher than Pathe Ciss to nod it in off the right post.

However, the key man for the home side was goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who made a string of saves to deny Rayo what would have been a deserved equaliser, earning the 24-year-old the man of the match award.

"Joan is a fantastic player, and he's showing why we signed him last summer. He was outstanding today," Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told DAZN.

Garcia set the tone in the opening minute, producing a brilliant save to deny Carlos Martin after a surging run down the left by Pep Chavarria.

Raphinha squandered a golden opportunity in the 13th minute, failing to capitalise on a defensive error from Rayo as he missed wide in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, before Araujo opened the scoring.

Raphinha came close again in the 29th minute, striking the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the area. Batalla managed to get a fingertip to the shot, pushing it onto the bar.

Barcelona dominated the first half, but Rayo rallied after the break, using quick counter-attacks to threaten the hosts. Garcia again rose to