Rayo Vallecano claimed a crucial away victory at Estadio Mendizorrotza, defeating Alaves 2-1 to strengthen their position in the upper half of La Liga.
Rayo Vallecano secured an important three points on the road with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Alaves on May 23rd. The visitors recovered from an early deficit to claim victory through goals from Sergio Camello and Randy Nteka, with the latter sealing the win deep into stoppage time.
Alaves entered the match looking to climb away from mid-table mediocrity. The home side currently sat 14th with 43 points from 37 games. Rayo, meanwhile, occupied 8th place with 47 points, seeking to maintain their strong form and secure European qualification.
Toni Martínez gave Alaves an early lead in the 13th minute. The striker found space in the box and fired past goalkeeper Dani Cárdenas to put the hosts ahead. Alaves looked energized by the quick start and dominated possession in the opening exchanges.
The home side controlled the first half with 48 percent possession. They created several chances, registering 11 shots on target by the interval. However, Rayo's defense held firm despite sustained pressure from the Alaves attack.
Cárdenas proved vital for Rayo's survival in the opening period. The goalkeeper made several important saves to keep his team within touching distance. His distribution also helped Rayo transition quickly on the counter-attack.
The second half brought an immediate shift in momentum. Rayo began to impose themselves on the contest, pushing higher up the pitch and creating problems for Alaves' backline. The visitors' intensity increased noticeably after the interval.
Sergio Camello leveled the score in the 73rd minute with a well-taken finish. The Rayo forward capitalized on defensive hesitation to slot the ball past the Alaves keeper. The goal sparked belief among the visiting supporters and shifted the balance of the match.
Alaves responded with urgency but struggled to regain control. Yellow cards accumulated for both sides as the contest grew increasingly tense. Tensions boiled over in the closing stages with multiple cautions issued.
Randy Nteka delivered the killer blow in the 90th minute. The Rayo winger found the back of the net to secure a dramatic late victory. Nteka's goal sent the traveling fans into raptures and sealed three crucial points.
Statistically, Alaves dominated with 19 total shots compared to Rayo's 15. The home side generated an expected goals value of 1.69 to Rayo's 1.35. However, Cárdenas' outstanding display made the difference, recording 10 saves to Alaves' five.
The result moves Rayo to 50 points from 38 games, while Alaves remain on 43 points. Rayo's victory strengthens their grip on a European spot. Alaves must regroup quickly as they battle to escape the lower reaches of the table.
