Rayo Vallecano edged past Espanyol 1-0 at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, with a late penalty from Kévin García proving decisive in a tightly contested La Liga encounter.
Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol arrived at Vallecas with contrasting fortunes. The hosts occupied 16th place with 35 points from 31 matches, while Espanyol sat 12th with 38 points. Both teams needed points to solidify their league positions, setting up an intense battle in Madrid.
The opening exchanges proved cagey. Rayo started brightly but Espanyol's defense held firm in the early stages. Patric Milla received a yellow card in the second minute for Rayo, signaling the physical nature of the contest to come. Neither side created clear chances in the opening quarter hour.
Patric Lozano picked up a caution for Rayo in the 19th minute as the hosts pressed for an advantage. Espanyol responded with measured buildup play, looking to exploit spaces on the counter. The visitors registered their first yellow card when Adrià Batalla was cautioned in the 35th minute.
At halftime, the scoreline remained locked at 0-0. Rayo had controlled possession with 53 percent of the ball but struggled to break down Espanyol's organized defense. Expected goals favored Espanyol slightly at 1.97 to Rayo's 1.67, suggesting the visitors had created the better chances.
The second half began with Espanyol receiving a yellow card through Pathé Ciss in the 50th minute. Rayo intensified their attacking efforts as the hour approached. The hosts pressed higher up the pitch, searching for the breakthrough that had eluded them in the first 45 minutes.
The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute. García stepped up to convert a penalty for Rayo, sending the home crowd into raptures. The goal shifted momentum decisively toward the hosts, who now controlled the tempo and territory.
Rayo's defense tightened considerably after taking the lead. Espanyol pushed forward desperately seeking an equalizer but found goalkeeper Dani Cárdenas in inspired form. Cárdenas made four crucial saves throughout the match, earning a rating of 8.5 for his commanding display.
In the 87th minute, Sergio Camello added a second goal for Rayo, sealing the victory with a composed finish. The substitution had immediate impact, with Camello making the most of his limited time on the pitch. Luis Cabrera received a yellow card for Rayo in the 75th minute as tensions rose.
Statistics told the story of a closely fought contest. Rayo managed 17 total shots with six on target, while Espanyol recorded 15 shots with four on target. Possession remained relatively even throughout, with Rayo controlling 53 percent of the ball.
The victory lifts Rayo to 38 points from 32 matches, moving them closer to safety. Espanyol remains on 38 points but drops to 13th place after the defeat. Rayo's form improved with this win, while Espanyol's inconsistency continues to hamper their season.
