“Sergio Camello opened the scoring to give Rayo Vallecano a deserved lead, converting to make it 1-0 and reward the home side's early pressure.”
Pivotal“Just 60 seconds into the second half, Alexandre Zurawski doubled Rayo's advantage to make it 2-0, stunning Villarreal before they had time to regroup after the interval.”
Pivotal“Florian Lejeune was booked for a foul as Villarreal's frustration began to surface, summing up a difficult afternoon for the visitors' defensive unit.”
“Unai López was booked for time wasting, a telling moment that confirmed Rayo were fully in control and content to see the game out in the closing stages.”
Rayo Vallecano
Villarreal
Outstanding performance
Rayo Vallecano•MidfielderRayo Vallecano produced a disciplined and well-structured performance to see off Villarreal with a comfortable 2-0 victory in Vallecas. The hosts were the superior side from the off, translating their dominance into a goal through Sergio Camello on 28 minutes before Alexandre Zurawski twisted the knife almost immediately after the restart. The statistics underline Rayo's control — seven shots on target to Villarreal's two, seven saves forced from the Villarreal goalkeeper, and three big chances created against none for the visitors. Villarreal's nine corners told a story of increasing desperation as they chased a way back into the game, but Rayo's defensive shape, underlined by 30 tackles, gave them no real route through, and a wave of substitutions from Villarreal after the hour mark was symptomatic of a side already trying to salvage something from nothing.
How entertaining was this match?
Alfonso Espino comes on for Pep Chavarria.
Jorge de Frutos takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Logan Costa is on, and Willy Kambwala is off.
Carlos Martin's left-footed shot is blocked.
Carlos Martin replaces Alexandre Zurawski.
Fran Perez replaces Sergio Camello.
Daniel Parejo Munoz is substituted off for Pape Alassane Gueye.
Alberto Moleiro takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Pedro Diaz Fanjul is substituted for Oscar Guido Trejo.
Thomas Partey comes on for Pape Alassane Gueye.
Gerard Moreno Balaguero is on, and Tani Oluwaseyi is off.
Florian LejeuneYellow CardFlorian Lejeune receives a yellow card.
Alexandre Zurawski takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Sergio Camello takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Alexandre ZurawskiShot by Alexandre Zurawski with his right foot results in a goal.
Substitution: Alfon Gonzalez comes on for Tajon Buchanan.
The first half ends with a score of 1-0.
Sergio Camello takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Sergio Camello takes a header but misses the shot.
Florian Lejeune takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Sergio CamelloSergio Camello scores with a right-footed shot.
Andrei Ratiu's right-footed shot is blocked.
Jorge de Frutos takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Sergio Camello takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sergi Cardona Bermudez takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Santi Comesana takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Alberto Moleiro takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Tani Oluwaseyi takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
