FC Barcelona has reclaimed the LaLiga top spot after a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, completing an unprecedented comeback in the second half of the season since the three-points-per-win format was introduced in 1995-96.

A comeback like no other

No team had ever made up a seven-point deficit in just three matchdays to take the LaLiga lead. After Matchday 21, Barça was trailing Real Madrid by seven points, but they turned things around by beating Alavés (1-0), Sevilla (1-4), and Rayo Vallecano (1-0) between Matchdays 22 and 24. Meanwhile, Madrid struggled, picking up just two points out of nine, after losing to Espanyol (1-0) and drawing against Atlético Madrid (1-1) and Osasuna (1-1).

Now, Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied on 51 points, but the Blaugrana hold first place thanks to their superior goal difference (+40 vs. Madrid’s +29). Atlético Madrid is right behind with 50 points.

Benítez’s Valencia Held the Previous Record

Barcelona has now surpassed the record set by Rafa Benítez’s Valencia in the 2001-02 season, when they closed a six-point gap in three matchdays against Real Madrid and went on to win LaLiga.

Valencia had 33 points after Matchday 21 and climbed to the top by Matchday 24 with 42 points, two ahead of Deportivo La Coruña and Real Madrid. They eventually clinched the title with 75 points, finishing seven ahead of Deportivo (68) and leaving Madrid in third place with 66. Two seasons later, in 2003-04, Valencia pulled off another comeback, erasing a six-point deficit in five matchdays before being crowned champions again.

A Comeback Doesn’t Always Mean a Title Win

History shows that making up points doesn’t always guarantee lifting the trophy.

• In 2002-03, Deportivo La Coruña erased a six-point gap in five matchdays against Real Madrid, but Los Blancos still won the title with 78 points, finishing two ahead of Real Sociedad (76) and six clear of Depor (72).

• In 2020-21, Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona erased a six-point deficit in six matchdays against Atlético Madrid, but the Rojiblancos held on to win the league by two points over Real Madrid.

Now, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona has made history, but there’s still a long road ahead in LaLiga. Can the Blaugrana hold on to the top spot until the end?