Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a narrow victory over Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Nou Camp.
Ronald Araujo headed home a Joao Cancelo corner to give the hosts the lead after 24 minutes.
However, they could have been behind in the first minute when Carlos Martin had a tap in from six yards, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia raced out to close down the angle.
That was Rayo’s only shot on target in a largely uneventful first half.
Raphinha fired an effort towards the top corner, but it took a deflection and Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla did well to push it onto the crossbar.
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After the break, Garcia produced a brilliant save to stop Unai Lopez’s close-range header from drawing Rayo level.
Pacha Espino curled a shot over the bar for Rayo in the 83rd minute as Barca clung on for a vital win.
Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid later on Sunday (20:00 GMT) as they look to close the gap back to four points.
Hansi Flick’s side travel to Atletico after the international break on Saturday, 4 April, before facing them twice more in the Champions League quarter-finals.
