A wonderful strike from Jose Angel Pozo has ensured Rayo Vallecano are level against league leaders Barcelona at half-time in Vallecas.
Luis Suarez had opened the scoring for the Spanish champions in the tenth minute, firing home from point-blank range after Jordi Alba’s cutback.
However, Pozo fired the hosts deservedly level ten minutes from half-time, turning expertly on the edge of the area and smashing a rasping effort past Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
Former Manchester City midfielder Pozo had missed a sitter five minutes earlier, firing wide when the goal was at his mercy.
Rayo have managed to contain Barca since falling behind although Suarez came within inches of restoring the visitors lead just before the break, with his first time effort rattling the post.
Rayo Vallecano XI: García; Advíncula, Amat, Gálvez, Moreno; Imbula, Santi, Trejo; De Tomas, Pozo, Embarba
Rayo Vallecano subs: Dimitrievski, Ba, Velazquez, Garcia, Alegria, Kakuta, Bebe
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Arthur, Rakitic; Rafinha, Suárez, Coutinho
Barcelona subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Dembélé, Munir, Vidal, Alenya, Chumi
Venue: Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández
