“Pedro Díaz picked up a yellow card for a foul just before half-time, a moment that added a layer of tension heading into the break with Rayo needing to manage their discipline in the second half.”
“Alemão broke the deadlock for Rayo Vallecano, converting from the centre of the box with his left foot into the high centre of the goal after Unai López's persistence created the opening — Rayo's pressure finally paying off with four minutes to play.”
Pivotal“Cristhian Stuani — who had only been on the pitch for five minutes and had already been shown a yellow card — powered a header into the right corner from Viktor Tsygankov's corner-kick delivery to equalise for Girona and deny Rayo what had looked like a certain victory.”
Pivotal
Rayo Vallecano
Girona
Outstanding performance
Rayo Vallecano•DefenderRayo Vallecano dominated this contest for long stretches, controlling 59% of possession, generating 18 shots to Girona's nine, and registering 63 dangerous attacks in a display that should have been rewarded far more handsomely. Their industry and territorial dominance were consistent, but they were repeatedly let down by wastefulness in front of goal — both big chances they created went unconverted until Alemão finally broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, finishing from the centre of the box after Unai López's persistence in the build-up. It looked like three points were secured, but Girona — who had offered very little for most of the second half — found salvation through their veteran substitute Cristhian Stuani, who met Tsygankov's corner-kick delivery with a precise header in the 90th minute to make it 1-1. For Rayo, it is a frustrating point dropped at home having done more than enough to win; for Girona, it is a character-showing draw snatched from nothing that preserves some dignity in what the stats suggest was a comprehensive beating in terms of territorial control.
How entertaining was this match?
Cristhian Stuani from Girona committed a foul.
Óscar Valentín from Rayo Vallecano earned a free kick in defense.
Missed chance. Gerard Gumbau of Rayo Vallecano shoots with his left foot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the left. Óscar Valentín provided the assist.
Missed chance. Pathé Ciss of Rayo Vallecano heads the ball from the center of the box.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 6 minutes of added time.
assist: Viktor Tsygankov
Goal! The match is now 1-1 as Cristhian Stuani scores for Girona with a header into the right corner, assisted by Viktor Tsygankov's cross following a corner.
Corner awarded to Girona after Gerard Gumbau concedes.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Nobel Mendy replaces Unai López.
Gerard Gumbau from Rayo Vallecano misses a chance, shooting with his left foot from the center of the box, sending the ball high over the goal. The assist came from Pacha Espino during a fast break.
assist: Unai López
Goal! Rayo Vallecano leads 1-0 against Girona. Alemão scores with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the high center of the goal, assisted by Unai López.
Unai López's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The assist came from Carlos Martín.
Substitution for Girona: Cristhian Stuani replaces Fran Beltrán.
Alemão's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Unai López provided the assist.
Fran Beltrán from Girona commits a foul.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano won a free kick in the attacking area.
Foul committed by Pacha Espino of Rayo Vallecano.
Joel Roca from Girona won a free kick in defense.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano won a free kick in the attacking area.
Foul committed by Vitor Reis of Girona.
Claudio Echeverri from Girona won a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Pathé Ciss of Rayo Vallecano.
Álex Moreno fouled a player from Girona.
Álex Moreno fouled a player from Girona.
Corner awarded to Rayo Vallecano after a concession by Paulo Gazzaniga.
Florian Lejeune from Rayo Vallecano attempts an attack with a right-footed shot from over 35 yards, but it's saved in the left corner by Paulo Gazzaniga from Girona.
Gerard Gumbau from Rayo Vallecano won a free kick in an attacking position.
Hugo Rincón from Girona was awarded a free kick in defense.
Pacha Espino from Rayo Vallecano committed a foul.
Substitution for Girona: Hugo Rincón replaces Arnau Martínez.
Rayo Vallecano is awarded a corner after Axel Witsel concedes.
Carlos Martín's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
New attacking attempt. Iván Martín from Girona heads the ball from outside the box, but it's saved by Augusto Batalla, the goalkeeper for Rayo Vallecano, right in the center of the goal.
Corner awarded to Girona after Andrei Ratiu concedes.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Pacha Espino replaces Sergio Camello.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Carlos Martín replaces Jorge de Frutos.
Alemão from Rayo Vallecano misses a chance, shooting with his right foot from outside the box but sending it high. Sergio Camello provided the assist after a fast break.
Viktor Tsygankov fouled a Girona player.
Sergio Camello from Rayo Vallecano won a free kick in defense.
Corner awarded to Girona after a concession by Andrei Ratiu.
Substitution for Girona: Iván Martín replaces Azzedine Ounahi.
Substitution for Girona: Claudio Echeverri replaces Thomas Lemar.
Gerard Gumbau of Rayo Vallecano committed a foul.
Fran Beltrán of Girona won a free kick in defense.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Alemão replaces Fran Pérez.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano: Gerard Gumbau replaces Pedro Díaz.
Pedro Díaz's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Jorge de Frutos provided the assist.
New attacking attempt. Fran Beltrán from Girona takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the top left corner by Augusto Batalla from Rayo Vallecano. The assist comes from Viktor Tsygankov.
VAR review confirms no penalty for Girona.
Fran Beltrán's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Joel Roca's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. The assist was provided by Álex Moreno.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Álex Moreno concedes.
Andrei Ratiu's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Viktor Tsygankov from Girona misses a chance, shooting with his right foot from the center of the box, sending the ball high and wide to the right. The assist came from Álex Moreno, who provided a cross after a fast break.
Azzedine Ounahi from Girona earned a free kick in defense.
Pathé Ciss fouled an opponent for Rayo Vallecano.
Pedro Díaz from Rayo Vallecano committed a foul.
Vitor Reis of Girona won a free kick in defense.
Sergio Camello of Rayo Vallecano won a free kick in defense.
Foul committed by Alejandro Francés of Girona.
The second half begins with the match still tied at 0-0 between Rayo Vallecano and Girona.
The first half ends with Rayo Vallecano and Girona drawing 0-0.
The fourth official has indicated there will be no added time.
Sergio Camello of Rayo Vallecano attempts an attack with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved in the right corner by Paulo Gazzaniga of Girona. The assist was provided by Unai López.
Pedro DíazYellow CardPedro Díaz from Rayo Vallecano receives a yellow card for a foul.
Foul committed by Pedro Díaz of Rayo Vallecano.
Joel Roca from Girona won a free kick in defense.
Pedro Díaz's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Sergio Camello provided the assist.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Arnau Martínez concedes.
Jorge de Frutos of Rayo Vallecano is caught offside.
Azzedine Ounahi from Girona had a missed chance, shooting with his right foot from outside the box, but the ball went high. Viktor Tsygankov provided the assist.
Azzedine Ounahi from Girona won a free kick in the attacking area.
Pathé Ciss of Rayo Vallecano commits a foul.
New attacking attempt. Viktor Tsygankov from Girona takes a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it's saved in the right corner by Augusto Batalla from Rayo Vallecano. The assist comes from Azzedine Ounahi.
Sergio Camello of Rayo Vallecano had a missed chance, heading the ball from the center of the box just to the left. The assist came from Pep Chavarría with a cross.
Sergio Camello's shot from the center of the box is blocked. Óscar Valentín provided the assist.
Missed chance. Fran Pérez of Rayo Vallecano shoots with his left foot from outside the box, but it's high and wide to the left. The assist was by Unai López.
There is a delay in the match due to an injury to Alejandro Francés from Girona.
Corner awarded to Girona after Óscar Valentín concedes.
Joel Roca's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Azzedine Ounahi provided the assist.
Offside called against Rayo Vallecano. Jorge de Frutos is offside.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Arnau Martínez concedes.
Foul committed by Pedro Díaz of Rayo Vallecano.
Axel Witsel from Girona won a free kick on the left wing.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Alejandro Francés concedes.
Corner awarded to Girona after Óscar Valentín concedes.
Fran Beltrán from Girona won a free kick in an attacking position.
Óscar Valentín from Rayo Vallecano commits a foul.
Rayo Vallecano is awarded a corner after Arnau Martínez concedes it.
Rayo Vallecano wins a corner after Arnau Martínez concedes.
