Dani Olmo scores in La Liga debut as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1

Dani Olmo enjoyed a dream debut with Barcelona, scoring a late winner to help maintain the Catalan club's perfect record to start the 2024-25 Spanish La Liga season.

Olmo found the net in the 82nd minute with a low left-footed shot into the far corner, after an assist by Lamine Yamal, to give Barcelona a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday.

Olmo, who was only registered with the first team Tuesday morning after signing from German Bundesliga club Leipzig, entered the match at halftime to replace Ferran Torres.

"I was anxious to debut and it couldn't have been better," Olmo said. "I'm glad I finally got to play and that I was able to help the team."

The 26-year-old Spain international, a former member of Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, had come close to scoring in the 58th minute with a shot that hit the crossbar.

"Yeah, he scored the goal, this is why we are happy that he is in our team," new Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. "We deserved these three points."

Rayo, celebrating their centennial this season, opened the scoring nine minutes into the game when Unai López found the net from close range with a right-footed strike.

Two minutes after Olmo hit the crossbar, Pedri evened the score with a strike from near the penalty spot, following an assist from Raphinha.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski thought he had put the visitors ahead in the 71st minute, but his effort was disallowed upon video review due to a foul in the buildup by Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

Flick said it was a "sad" victory because of a knee injury to 17-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal late in second-half stoppage time.

"We win, it's okay, but when you see the dressing room, no one is happy," the German coach lamented.