In a thrilling opening match of LaLiga 2024-25, Rayo Vallecano pulled off a remarkable 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena. The game was a showcase of strategic play, resilience, and late drama that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Date: Sunday, August 18, 2024
Time: 10:30 PM
Venue: Reale Arena, San Sebastián
Attendance: 31,763
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández
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First Half: Tactical Battle with Few Openings
The first half of the match was a closely contested affair, with both teams struggling to find clear-cut opportunities. Real Sociedad, buoyed by their home support, controlled the majority of possession, holding 66% of the ball. However, Rayo Vallecano’s disciplined defensive structure limited Sociedad’s ability to create meaningful chances.
Urko González had to be substituted in the 46th minute after a knock, making way for Gerard Gumbau as Real Sociedad sought to strengthen their midfield. The half ended goalless, with Rayo Vallecano seemingly content to absorb pressure and wait for counter-attacking opportunities.
Second Half: Rayo Vallecano Seize the Moment
The second half saw Rayo Vallecano come out with a more aggressive approach. The introduction of Sergio Camello in the 63rd minute added a new dimension to their attack, and it didn’t take long for them to break the deadlock.
67th Minute: Rayo’s persistence paid off when Jorge de Frutos found the back of the net. A precise cross from Abdul Mumin was met by de Frutos, who slotted the ball past Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper to give Rayo Vallecano a 1-0 lead. The goal was a culmination of a swift counter-attack, catching Sociedad’s defense off guard.
Real Sociedad responded by making a double substitution in the 68th minute, bringing on Ander Barrenetxea and Sergio Gomez in an attempt to regain control of the game. Despite their best efforts, it was Rayo Vallecano who struck again.
84th Minute: Sergio Camello doubled Rayo Vallecano’s lead, finishing off a well-orchestrated move. Pathé Ciss provided the assist, threading a perfectly weighted pass that allowed Camello to fire the ball into the net, making it 2-0 to the visitors. The goal was a testament to Rayo’s clinical finishing and their ability to capitalize on Sociedad’s defensive lapses.
Late Drama: Sociedad’s Desperate Fightback
As the clock ticked towards full-time, Real Sociedad launched a desperate fightback. They threw everything forward in search of a goal, and their efforts finally bore fruit deep into stoppage time.
90+4th Minute: Martín Zubimendi gave the home crowd a glimmer of hope by scoring in the fourth minute of added time. Assisted by Brais Méndez, Zubimendi’s left-footed strike found the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1. The goal spurred Sociedad on for the final few minutes, but Rayo Vallecano’s defense held firm.
Despite the late goal, it was too little, too late for Real Sociedad as Rayo Vallecano successfully navigated the remaining minutes to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Match Statistics
- Ball Possession: Real Sociedad 66% – 34% Rayo Vallecano
- Expected Goals (xG): Real Sociedad 1.08 – 1.11 Rayo Vallecano
- Total Shots: Real Sociedad 11 – 12 Rayo Vallecano
- Shots on Target: Real Sociedad 4 – 5 Rayo Vallecano
- Passes Completed: Real Sociedad 359 (81%) – 151 (64%) Rayo Vallecano
- Fouls Committed: Real Sociedad 14 – 21 Rayo Vallecano
Player Performances
- Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano): The forward was instrumental in Rayo’s victory, scoring the opening goal and consistently troubling Sociedad’s defense. His FotMob rating of 7.8 highlights his impact on the game.
- Sergio Camello (Rayo Vallecano): Camello came off the bench to score the decisive second goal, earning a rating of 7.2. His energy and finishing ability were crucial in sealing the win.
- Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad): Despite his team’s loss, Zubimendi was one of Sociedad’s standout performers. His late goal provided a lifeline, and he finished the match with a FotMob rating of 7.6.
La Liga 2024 – 2025 Points Table
Check the below mentioned tablular column for the latest standing of your favourite team in La Liga 2024 – 2025.
| La Liga 2024-2025 | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
| Celta Vigo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Barcelona | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Las Palmas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Sevilla | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Girona | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Getafe | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mallorca | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Leganés | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Real Betis | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Osasuna | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Real Madrid | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Athletic Club | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Atlético Madrid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Espanyol | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Real Valladolid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Villarreal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alavés | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Real Sociedad | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Valencia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
A Promising Start for Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano’s victory in their LaLiga opener sends a strong message to the rest of the league. Their ability to withstand pressure, capitalize on their chances, and defend resolutely makes them a formidable opponent this season. On the other hand, Real Sociedad will need to regroup quickly and address the issues that led to their defeat.
As the LaLiga season unfolds, both teams will have opportunities to build on their performances from this match. For Rayo Vallecano, this win could be the spark they need to establish themselves as contenders, while Real Sociedad will be eager to bounce back and prove their quality in the coming fixtures.
