Rayo Vallecano secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mallorca in their La Liga clash at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas. The match, filled with intensity and drama, saw early goals from both sides before Rayo's I. Palazón converted a penalty to seal the win. The home side's triumph was marred by a late red card for Óscar Valentín, adding tension to the closing stages.
Early Goals Set the Tone
The game started with a bang as J. de Frutos put Rayo ahead in the 4th minute, assisted by A. Garcia. Mallorca responded swiftly, equalizing through V. Muriqi in the 30th minute, with T. Lato providing the assist. The first half was marked by physical play, with Mallorca's J. Mojica and M. Valjent both receiving yellow cards.
Palazón's Penalty and Late Drama
Rayo regained the lead in the 42nd minute when I. Palazón calmly slotted home a penalty. The second half saw Mallorca pushing for an equalizer, but Rayo's defense held firm. The match took a dramatic turn when Óscar Valentín was sent off in the 80th minute for a serious foul, leaving Rayo to defend their lead with ten men.
Statistical Insights
Rayo Vallecano dominated possession with 53% and managed 14 shots, five of which were on target. Mallorca, despite their efforts, could only muster two shots on goal. Florian Lejeune was a standout for Rayo, winning nine duels and completing 49 passes. Mallorca's Samú Costa was influential in midfield, winning ten duels and drawing four fouls.
Looking Ahead
This victory marks a positive turn for Rayo Vallecano, who have shown resilience in recent matches. With a mix of draws and a win in their last five outings, they will look to build on this momentum. Mallorca, meanwhile, will need to regroup as they aim to climb the La Liga standings, having struggled to convert draws into wins.
