London, 28 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Dani Olmo scored a debut winner as Barcelona preserved their 100% LaLiga record with a 2-1 comeback win at Rayo Vallecano.

Olmo was introduced at half-time with Barcelona trailing to Unai Lopez’s early strike and seeking inspiration with top spot at stake after beating Valencia and Athletic Bilbao.

The Spain international, who arrived in a summer deal from RB Leipzig reportedly worth around €60 million ($67 million) but had to wait to be registered due to Barcelona’s financial issues, was influential as Pedri equalised on the hour.

Olmo then took centre stage by accepting Lamine Yamal’s 82nd-minute pass and finding the bottom corner of Daniel Cardenas’ net in the same movement.

It was a fairytale return for the 26-year-old who started his career in the Barcelona academy before moving to Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16.

Rayo signing James Rodriguez was watching on from the Vallecas stands and the former Real Madrid midfielder must have been impressed with the start made by his new team-mates.

Alvaro Garcia Rivera forced Marc-Andre Ter Stegen into a useful save and Isi Palazon dragged wide before Rayo took a 10th-minute lead.

Jorge De Frutos broke down the right and his cross was met by Lopez, who marked his 200th LaLiga appearance by opening his account for the season.

Barcelona slowly took command and fashioned openings as Inigo Martinez fired straight at Cardenas on his goal line and Ferran Torres hooked over an awkward bouncing ball.

Yamal also brought Cardenas into action again with a left-footed drive which the Rayo goalkeeper held under the crossbar.

Rayo saw the half out and had the final chance of the first period as Sergio Camillo set up Alfonso Espino to test Ter Stegen.

Olmo made an instant impact at the start of the second half, going to ground under Florian Lejeune’s challenge and perhaps unfortunate not to see a penalty awarded.

Robert Lewandowski missed a tap-in from Raphina’s cross with the goal at his mercy, and the Brazilian was just off target with a powerful free-kick as Barcelona cranked up the pressure.

The visitors went even closer when Olmo thudded the crossbar, but Rayo’s resistance was finally broken after Pedri exchanged passes with Raphina to produce a cool finish.

Lewandowski celebrated what he thought was his fourth goal of the season after Cardenas had pushed out Yamal’s shot to him.

Referee Soto Grada was sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR official and disallowed the goal for Jules Kounde stepping on Pep Chavarria’s foot in the build-up.

There was no escape for Rayo, however, when Olmo found space in a congested penalty area to deliver the final word and take Barcelona two points clear at the top.

Photo: EPA