Chaos with VAR as Barcelona held by Rayo Vallecano
The clash between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona turned into one of those nights where football makes more headlines off the pitch than on it. Barcelona, who once again struggled in Vallecas, only managed to come away with a 1-1 draw, and much of the conversation after the game revolved around the chaotic functioning—or rather malfunctioning—of the VAR system.
Before the ball was even kicked, confusion was already present. Referee Mateo Busquets gathered both coaches and explained that the match had to begin without video assistance because communication with the VOR room had failed. By protocol, the fixture could not be delayed. For a while, it seemed as if the problem had been resolved, when the referee signaled around the twelfth minute that the VAR was back online. But that sense of order was short-lived. The system kept failing throughout the first half, working in intervals, then suddenly cutting out again. Frenkie de Jong, who wore the captain’s armband for Barça, later admitted that such irregularity felt completely surreal.
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The biggest controversy came in the 37th minute. Lamine Yamal broke into the box, made a quick move to get past ChavarrÃa, and went down under contact. A penalty was awarded, heavily protested by Rayo, but it could not be checked on replay because the VAR had once more gone offline. The decision stood, and Lamine himself converted it to put Barcelona in front. The irony was hard to ignore: in a league that prides itself on technological precision, a crucial call was left entirely to the referee’s judgment without review.
From there, the match carried all the flavor that Vallecas usually brings when Barcelona visits. Rayo fought with intensity, Barcelona wasted chances, and Joan GarcÃa, standing in as Barça’s goalkeeper, became the unlikely hero. His saves—particularly a stunning stop early against Ratiu and later interventions in one-on-one situations—were the reason Barcelona avoided defeat. In the second half, Fran Pérez found the equalizer for Rayo after constant pressure, and from that point on, it was GarcÃa who ensured the game ended level.
After the final whistle, Frenkie de Jong did not hide his frustration. He admitted the team had played below their level, losing possession far too often, which allowed Rayo to launch repeated counterattacks. But his sharpest criticism was reserved for the VAR. “It works, then five minutes later it doesn’t. Then maybe it works only for offside. That doesn’t feel like a serious league,” he said, shaking his head.
In the end, the draw cost Barcelona the chance to stay on top of the table, while Rayo once again confirmed why Vallecas is such a difficult place for the Catalans. The story of the night, though, was not just the goals or the missed opportunities—it was the absurd, stop-and-go reality of a VAR system that left players, coaches, and fans wondering how such issues can still happen at the highest level of Spanish football.
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