The first half of Robert Lewandowski earned Barcelona a heavily fought 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano to go back to the top of the LaLala classification.
After the title Hopefuls Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid used Hansi Flick's side of Hansi Flick to keep their hope in a 28th competition dress alive.
Barcelona started strongly in the game, where Lewandowski was unable to lead an early header on goal after good work by Raphinha on the edge of the box.
Andrei Ratiu then almost presented the hosts with the opener after a bad header back to his goalkeeper, but Raphinha dragged his efforts wide from the goal of Augusto Batalla.
But the Dominance of Barcelona finally prevailed in the 28th minute when Pathe Ciss saw unnecessary error on Inigo Martinez from a corner pointing the referee to the place.
Lewandowski stepped up and sent Batalla the wrong way to open the score and to get his 20th LaLiga goal of the season.
Barcelona continued to dominate the procedure, where Lamine Yamal was quickly denied by Batalla twice in succession, but Rayo Vallecano had the chance to get a point.
A glorious pass from Pep Chavarria was gathered by Adri Embarba, where his cross found an unmarked Jorge de Frutos, but his duikkop cleared the bar.
Data Debrief: Rayo pays the fine against Barca
Although they are not at their best, Barcelona ensured that they put pressure on their Madrid rivals with a fight display in the Camp Nou.
The side of Flick ended the game with an expected goals (XG) total of 2.53 of their 14 shots to 0.99 of their opponents of their nine attempts, although the determining moment came through a regular piece of game for Barcelona this season.
Indeed, Lewandowski's penalty was the fourth spot kick they received this season. In Laliga this is an annual joint division-high total (level with Alaves and Leganes), where the pole scores three of those four from 12 yards.
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