Rayo Vallecano has secured a victory in their return to European football after a long 24-year absence! The Madrid-based club faced Belarussian side Neman Grodno in the first leg of their continental campaign on Thursday night. While not the most dazzling performance, it was a crucial win for Rayo.
Key Moments from the Match
Veteran Oscar Trejo captained the side, with Fran Perez and Jozhua Vertrouwd making their first starts under manager Inigo Perez. Rayo dominated possession in the first half, but struggled to break down Neman's defense. Gerard Gumbau came closest to scoring.
The second half saw both teams become more adventurous. Neman created more space on the counter-attack. Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla made a vital save early in the second half after a Rayo header went astray.
Alvaro Garcia's Decisive Goal
As the rain poured down, Rayo increased the pressure. Pedro Diaz forced a good save, and Vertrouwd missed a close-range opportunity. The introduction of Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon, and Alvaro Garcia injected energy into Rayo's attack. With just over 12 minutes remaining, Alvaro Garcia cut inside from the left and fired a shot that the goalkeeper couldn't handle, giving Rayo the lead.
Neman had a late chance to equalize, but Batalla made another brilliant save from a header. Rayo Vallecano will take a 1-0 lead back to Vallecas for the second leg next Thursday.
What's Next?
Rayo will be looking to secure their place in the next round with another strong performance at home. Stay tuned for more updates and live scores!