Rayo Vallecano Secure Narrow Win Over Celta Vigo to Climb Table

Rayo Vallecano moved into the top half of the table with a narrow 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, extending their unbeaten streak against the visitors to 14 matches.

Rayo Vallecano secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo at the Estadio de Vallecas, extending their unbeaten top-flight streak against the visitors to 14 matches. Adri Embarba played a crucial role in the win, which propelled Rayo Vallecano into the top half of the table.

The home side got off to a flying start, scoring within the first five minutes of their first league match of 2025. A costly error by Celta Vigo goalkeeper Vicente Guaita allowed Embarba to easily slot the ball into an empty net from inside the area.

Embarba came close to doubling his tally soon after, but Guaita made amends for his earlier mistake with a superb save. This redemption proved pivotal, as Celta Vigo equalized in the 26th minute through Borja Iglesias, who clinically converted a close-range chance created by Jonathan Bamba.

The score remained level until halftime, with Guaita producing another impressive save to deny Sergio Camello's backwards glancing header. This save ensured that the teams went into the break on level terms, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.

The momentum shifted in Celta Vigo's favor after the restart, as Franco Cervi unleashed a powerful strike that forced Daniel Cardenas to palm the ball to safety. This attempt sparked a renewed sense of urgency in the visitors, but Rayo Vallecano would ultimately regain the lead.

In the 63rd minute, Jorge de Frutos scored his latest goal, beating Vicente Guaita at his near post to restore Rayo Vallecano's advantage. This strike sent the Estadio de Vallecas into raptures, and the hosts would hold on to their lead despite Celta Vigo's late efforts.

Celta Vigo's push for an equalizer was denied in the dying minutes, as Williot Swedberg's header struck Daniel Cardenas squarely in the forehead. To compound the visitors' disappointment, Marcos Alonso received his second yellow card, resulting in his ejection from the game close to the full-time whistle.

Rayo Vallecano's victory marked another unbeaten outing against Celta Vigo at the Estadio de Vallecas, with the hosts leapfrogging their opponents into the top half of the table. In contrast, Celta Vigo remains in mid-table, still seeking their first away win against Rayo in LaLiga since April 1996.