|
|
Played
November 26, 2011 12:00 PM EST
Estadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) — Madrid
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández
Attendance: 13000
November 26, 2011 12:00 PM EST
Estadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) — Madrid
Referee: Javier Estrada Fernández
Attendance: 13000
Top of the Match
Jonas
Valencia
Valencia
Jonas
Valencia
Valencia
Flop of the Match
Cobeño
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Roberto Soldado
Valencia
Valencia
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Valencia: Jonas and Tino Costa strike in slender win for Unai Emery's in-form side
Los Che continue their superb record of scoring in each La Liga fixture as they put pressure on Real Madrid and Barcelona atop the table after strolling to victory at Vallecas
By Daniel Quinton-Navarro
Valencia returned to winning ways in La Liga with a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas after Jose Ramon Sandoval's side netted an 85th goal to ensure a dramatic finish to the match.
Jonas provided the only action of the first-half with a superb strike from the edge of the area and Tino Costa doubled the lead after 57 minutes.
Rayo scored in the final 10 minutes through Raul Tamudo to ensure it was an uncomfortable end to the match for Unai Emery's men.
Neither side was able to control the opening stages of the match, with possession constantly changing from one side to the other with few chances being created.
After 20 minutes where there hadn't been a meaningful strike on goal, the ball fell to Jonas who hit an unstoppable, low drive into the corner of the net to put Valencia ahead.
The match turned stagnant following Jonas' strike with a sustained period of play where both sides adopted an ugly style of play, hoisting the ball forward in the air.
Sandoval's side did manage to work its first shot on goal after 40 minutes when Jose Movilla's freekick was headed towards goal, only for Diego Alves to tip it around the post.
The Brazilian shot stopper was on hand to save in spectacular fashion from Andrija Delibasic early in the second half after Pablo Piatti's precise cross found the Montenegro striker, who managed to direct a header on target.
Valencia doubled its advantage through a beautifully crafted goal consisting of nine passes in a perfectly executed counter attack initiated by David Albelda.
The break ended in Roberto Soldado combining with Sofiane Feghouli in a neat one-two. The Frenchman then slid the ball to the far post where Costa was on hand to send a lethal shot into the opposite corner past a helpless David Cobeno.
With the match approaching full time, Rayo Vallecano was given a lifeline five minutes from time. Substitute Raul Tamudo bustled his way into a scoring position before poking the ball beyond Alves to halve the deficit.
Valenica had opportunities to re-establish its two goal lead in the closing minutes but it was the home side which finished the stronger as it went in search of the equalizer, only to fail in its pursuit with Triguero Tito passing up a glorious chance to snatch a point at the death for Rayo.
The win moves Emery’s side to within four points of Real Madrid, which plays later on Saturday evening.
Rayo remains in midtable but travels to Camp Nou in their next game on Tuesday to face Barcelona.
Jonas provided the only action of the first-half with a superb strike from the edge of the area and Tino Costa doubled the lead after 57 minutes.
Rayo scored in the final 10 minutes through Raul Tamudo to ensure it was an uncomfortable end to the match for Unai Emery's men.
Neither side was able to control the opening stages of the match, with possession constantly changing from one side to the other with few chances being created.
After 20 minutes where there hadn't been a meaningful strike on goal, the ball fell to Jonas who hit an unstoppable, low drive into the corner of the net to put Valencia ahead.
The match turned stagnant following Jonas' strike with a sustained period of play where both sides adopted an ugly style of play, hoisting the ball forward in the air.
Sandoval's side did manage to work its first shot on goal after 40 minutes when Jose Movilla's freekick was headed towards goal, only for Diego Alves to tip it around the post.
The Brazilian shot stopper was on hand to save in spectacular fashion from Andrija Delibasic early in the second half after Pablo Piatti's precise cross found the Montenegro striker, who managed to direct a header on target.
Valencia doubled its advantage through a beautifully crafted goal consisting of nine passes in a perfectly executed counter attack initiated by David Albelda.
The break ended in Roberto Soldado combining with Sofiane Feghouli in a neat one-two. The Frenchman then slid the ball to the far post where Costa was on hand to send a lethal shot into the opposite corner past a helpless David Cobeno.
With the match approaching full time, Rayo Vallecano was given a lifeline five minutes from time. Substitute Raul Tamudo bustled his way into a scoring position before poking the ball beyond Alves to halve the deficit.
Valenica had opportunities to re-establish its two goal lead in the closing minutes but it was the home side which finished the stronger as it went in search of the equalizer, only to fail in its pursuit with Triguero Tito passing up a glorious chance to snatch a point at the death for Rayo.
The win moves Emery’s side to within four points of Real Madrid, which plays later on Saturday evening.
Rayo remains in midtable but travels to Camp Nou in their next game on Tuesday to face Barcelona.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |