Estadio de Vallecas, home of Rayo Vallecano
International Football

Rayo score first for the second week running, and again it is not enough

Sergio Camello put Rayo ahead three minutes into the second half. Alavés, who had been the better side all evening, finally got their goal through Mariano on 84.

By Guriball Newsroom · August 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Rayo Vallecano have now led in both of their matches this season and won neither of them. Sergio Camello scored three minutes into the second half; the lead lasted 36 minutes.

Mariano, who came off the bench to score twice against Getafe in stoppage time five days earlier, got the equaliser on 84.

Alavés created three big chances and missed all three

The expected-goals gap is the story: 1.92 for Alavés against 0.43 for Rayo. Alavés took 15 shots to Rayo's eight, had 30 touches in the opposition box to Rayo's 11, and hit the woodwork once. ESPN logged three big chances created and three big chances missed.

Rayo's 0.17 expected goals from open play tells you where their point came from — one good moment from Camello and a lot of defending.

Match facts

  • 48' — Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano)
  • 84' — Mariano (Alavés)
StatRayo VallecanoAlavés
Possession48%52%
Total shots815
Shots on target33
Expected goals (xG)0.431.92
Accurate passes258 (79%)277 (80%)
Corners97
Offsides10
Fouls committed1413
Yellow cards12
Saves22
Source: ESPN

What's next

Alavés leave matchday 2 on four points from two games, second on the organiser's table behind Sevilla. Rayo have one, from two matches in which they scored first. The margins are not far off; the results are.

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