Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Nou Camp. Ronald Araujo’s header from a Joao Cancelo corner in the 24th minute proved decisive, while Rayo’s early chance through Carlos Martin was brilliantly denied by Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The first half remained largely uneventful aside from Raphinha’s deflected effort that hit the crossbar.

In the second half, Rayo came close to an equalizer as Garcia saved Unai Lopez’s close-range header, and Pacha Espino’s late curling attempt went over the bar. Barcelona held on despite pressure in the final stages, securing a vital win to maintain their lead at the summit.

Meanwhile, second-placed Real Madrid beat Atletico 3-2 in a thrilling Madrid derby, restoring a four-point gap. Hansi Flick’s side will travel to face Atletico again in La Liga after the international break on 4 April, ahead of two more meetings in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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