MATCH REPORT | Draw between Valencia CF and Rayo Vallecano (1-1)

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Valencia CF played on the evening of Thursday, May 14, the Matchday 36 fixture of LALIGA EA SPORTS against Rayo Vallecano. The match, played at Mestalla, ended 1-1. Diego López scored the Valencianista goal.

The match began with the whole of Mestalla cheering and singing for the team. The players felt that push and the first shot went to the Valencianista side through Javi Guerra, who struck from outside the area, but it was saved by Batalla. Shortly afterwards, Rayo Vallecano responded with a counterattack in which Dimitrievski cleared a ‘square pass’.

However, moments later, Pacha won a penalty for the Madrid side in another ‘square pass’ action that Renzo tried to prevent, but his clearance hit the Rayo defender. Dimitrievski guessed the side Nteka shot to and the ball struck the left post of the Valencianista goalkeeper. Mestalla roared. The match took on a frantic pace.

A few minutes later, Javi Guerra came very close to putting the team ahead in a move that started in midfield, gathered momentum and saw the rival defenders open up and leave him space to advance. The player from Gilet approached the area and shot, but the ball brushed the right post of the goal defended by Batalla.

Despite the Valencianista chances, Rayo Vallecano scored the opening goal of the match after a corner headed in by Lejeune (0-1). After the half-hour mark, Renzo had to be substituted following a high-intensity action in which he felt his hamstring.

Valencia CF had the equaliser in a counterattack started by Javi Guerra, who spotted Luis Rioja making a run. The Andalusian winger sprinted into the opposition area, but Mendy arrived to cut out the ball before the shot. In the next attack for the home side, Diego López scored the goal that levelled the match after taking advantage of a great assist in the area from Javi Guerra (1-1).

SECOND HALF

Three minutes after the restart, Javi Guerra was close to taking advantage of an error in Batalla’s build-up play. The player from Gilet shot first time, but the ball did not find the visitors’ goal. Minutes later, Carlos Corberán made a triple substitution: Sadiq, Ramazani and Ugrinic entered the pitch. Shortly afterwards, Jesús Vázquez had to come on for Gayà.

The following minutes were marked by balance in play. Gradually, Valencia CF gained control of possession, although Rayo Vallecano remained organised in their positioning and did not leave free spaces for the home side. The Valencianista side kept pushing and, in stoppage time, Tárrega came close to scoring the second after heading a corner taken by Ugrinic.

After this result, Valencia CF will travel to San Sebastián to face Real Sociedad next Sunday, May 17 at 19:00, in Matchday 37 of LALIGA EA SPORTS 2025/26.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

1. Valencia CF: Dimitrievski, R. Saravia (U. Nuñez, 32’), Tárrega, Cömert, Gayà © (J. Vázquez, 64’), L. Rioja, G. Rodríguez, Pepelu (Ugrinic, 61’), Diego López, Javi Guerra (Ramazani, 61’) and Hugo Duro (Sadiq, 61’).
1. Rayo Vallecano: A. Batalla, Pep Chavarría, Pedro Díaz, Nteka (Alemao, 61’), Gumbau (U. López, 67’), Balliu (Ratiu, 72’), Fran Pérez (De Frutos, 61’), Pacha, Óscar V. © (P. Ciss, 61’), Lejeune and N. Mendy.

GOALS: Lejeune, 21’ (0-1); Diego López, 40’ (1-1).

REFEREE: Alejandro Quintero (Andalusian Committee). Booked R. Saravia and Nteka.

VAR: Daniel Trujillo (Tenerife Committee).

Matchday 36 fixture of LALIGA EA SPORTS, played at Mestalla in front of 45,851 spectators.

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