Espanyol Secures Vital Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

Espanyol is alive and kicking. The team from Catalonia, with a strong first-half performance and solid defense in the second, triumphed over Rayo Vallecano on the road, marking a crucial step in their fight to avoid relegation. An away win is invaluable at this stage, especially for a team battling to stay clear of the lower ranks. Meanwhile, Iñigo Pérez’s squad faces a setback in their European ambitions. Goals came courtesy of Cabrera, in a standout performance, Roberto Fernández, Puado from a penalty, and Pere Milla for the visitors.

Espanyol struck with the speed of lightning. In the blink of an eye, they created a gap on the scoreboard with two quick goals between the 12th and 16th minute. Cabrera initiated the scoring with a header from an Edu Expósito corner, escaping Pathé Ciss’s coverage with ease.

Rayo, who had initially demonstrated control and looked more assured on the ball, was rattled by these early blows. Espanyol seized the opportunity. Cabrera, omnipresent, snatched the ball from Nteka and launched a counterattack. Puado set up Roberto Fernández, who kept his cool in a face-off with Batalla, slotting in a precise strike for a 2-0 lead. The effectiveness was evident as Espanyol scored with their first two attempts on target.

Espanyol could have extended their lead further through Puado. In the 18th minute, his curled shot just missed the mark after an impressive solo run, and in the 34th minute, a brilliant save from Batalla stopped him again. Similarly, Romero’s attempt was thwarted by the goalkeeper, who prevented a blowout before halftime. For Rayo, an Álvaro García effort that skimmed the post was the closest they came to scoring in the first half.

Isi and Espino were introduced at the start of the second half, as Rayo needed a spark and pressured Espanyol. The home side dominated possession, but Joan García, as ever reliable, made a crucial save from De Frutos and intercepted a dangerous shot from Álvaro García.

Espanyol weathered Rayo’s pressure and found a reward following a VAR intervention. The referee, called to review an incident where Roberto Fernández had been fouled after shooting, awarded a penalty. Pathé Ciss, attempting to block, made contact after the ball had been played away. Hernández Hernández reviewed and pointed to the spot, where Puado confidently slotted home for a 3-0 lead. That moment deflated Rayo’s spirit altogether. Even more so when Pere Milla, freshly on the pitch, sealed the 4-0 victory in the 90th minute.