Álvaro García scores inside three minutes as Rayo Vallecano beat Espanyol 2-1
Captain Álvaro García struck inside three minutes and set up Adrià Pedrosa for a second before half-time, and Rayo Vallecano held on despite Roberto Fernández's reply to beat Espanyol 2-1 at Vallecas.
Rayo Vallecano could not have asked for a better start, and it was enough to see off Espanyol 2-1 at Vallecas. Captain Álvaro García scored inside three minutes and turned provider for the second before the half-hour, and despite a spirited Espanyol response after the break, Rayo held on for a third league win of the season.
How the fast start unfolded
- Kick-off: Rayo press high from the first whistle, unsettling Espanyol's build-up in their own half.
- 3' — Álvaro García finishes a quick move to make it 1-0, the fastest goal of Rayo's season.
- Rayo continue to dominate the opening exchanges, forcing Espanyol back without reply.
- 26' — García turns provider, squaring for Adrià Pedrosa to finish and make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.
Espanyol needed a response and got one just after the hour, Roberto Fernández pulling one back in the 54th minute to set up a nervy finish. Rayo, missing the composure they had shown early on, spent the last half hour defending the lead rather than adding to it, but Espanyol could not find a leveller.
Match stats
| Stat | Rayo Vallecano | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 55.1% | 44.9% |
| Total shots | 16 | 19 |
| Shot accuracy | 16.7% | 8.3% |
| Fouls | 10 | 15 |
| Yellow cards | 5 | 1 |
| Red cards | 0 | 1 |
| Offsides | 0 | 2 |
Line-ups
Rayo Vallecano lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Audero in goal, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mujaid and Pedrosa across the back, Ciss and Unai López screening the midfield, and Pedro Díaz, Álvaro García and Tsitaishvili in behind Camello. Espanyol set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Riedel in goal, El Hilali, Cabrera, Hernández and Hinojo at the back, Moscardo and Hartman holding, and Bauzà, Fernández and Zaragoza in behind Roberto Fernández.
Where it leaves the table
Rayo Vallecano went into the round 14th on 4 points from five matches, their only previous win a 3-2 comeback against Racing Santander. This result takes them to 7, level with the 7 points Racing themselves and Osasuna had carried into the round. Espanyol, who arrived unbeaten in three and had lost only to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad all season, stay on 7 points too, their run without defeat ended by a Rayo side that made the fastest possible start.
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