Key Takeaways
- Rayo Vallecano secured a 2-0 victory against Getafe at the Coliseum to strengthen their position above the relegation zone.
- Sergio Camello and Randy Nteka scored the goals, while goalkeeper Augusto Batalla saved a crucial second-half penalty.
- The defeat caused Getafe to drop out of the European qualification places ahead of their upcoming fixture against Real Oviedo.
Rayo Vallecano earned a hard-fought 2-0 win over Getafe at the Coliseum on Saturday, moving eight points clear of the relegation zone with only four matches remaining. The result provided manager Inigo Perez with the calm he needed before his side’s important Conference League semi-final second leg against Strasbourg.
Getafe entered the match hoping to secure a European spot, but they suffered a second consecutive home defeat under Jose Bordalas. The hosts struggled to cope with Rayo’s tactical approach, which featured three defenders at the back and four attackers upfront.
The first half saw Rayo create the better chances. After 25 minutes, Jorge de Frutos stole the ball and set up Pathé Ciss, but the winger could not get his shot away. However, Rayo took the lead just before the half-hour mark. Sergio Camello seized on a defensive error and struck a brilliant 30-yard shot that curled around David Soria into the net.
Getafe nearly equalised immediately from a corner, but Luis Vázquez headed wide. Rayo thought they had doubled their lead in stoppage time when Camello tapped in a rebound, but the goal was disallowed for handball.
The second period began with Getafe searching for a way back. They earned a penalty after the hour mark when Batalla fouled Vázquez, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Mauro Arambarri’s spot-kick. Despite Getafe controlling possession, Rayo remained dangerous on the counter-attack.
In the 73rd minute, substitute Randy Nteka sealed the victory. He turned sharply on the edge of the box and fired a powerful shot that bounced down off the underside of the crossbar. The strike gave Soria no chance and confirmed the three points for the visitors.
Rayo showed greater strength and intelligence throughout the contest, qualities usually associated with Getafe. The win lifts Perez’s side to safety, while Getafe slip to seventh place following Celta Vigo’s victory over Elche.