UECL: Rayo Vallecano Holds On for 2-2 Draw Against Hacken

Late penalty denies Hacken first UEFA win

Rayo Vallecano came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Hacken in the UEFA Conference League, with Andrei Ratiu scoring a penalty in the 103rd minute to deny the hosts their first-ever win in the competition's main draw.

Hacken took the lead after a brilliant cross from Julius Lindberg was poked home...

Andrei Rațiu's 103rd-minute penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw for Rayo Vallecano against Hacken in the UEFA Conference League, dashing the hosts' hopes of their first-ever UEFA competition main draw win.

Rayo Vallecano dominated the early stages, but Hacken had the first clear chance when Adrian Svanback inexplicably slotted wide as goalkeeper Augusto Batalla rushed off his line.

Isak Brusberg was next to break forward, with only a last-ditch tackle keeping the scores goalless, before a three-on-one was also passed up when Pontus Dahbo opted to delay in possession rather than pass to an unmarked Brusberg.

The hosts were made to pay for their wastefulness less than a minute later as Rayo went straight down the other end and took the lead through Alvaro García, who slotted home after a fine Sergio Camello cross.

Isak Brusberg continued to threaten, missing yet another chance one-on-one with Batalla. As halftime approached, Julius Lindberg gave the home fans hope, rolling in an equalizer, his first goal since late August.

The hosts might have felt hard done by as Oscar Trejo escaped a red card for a physical challenge, despite already being booked.

The second half got off to a disjointed start, with midfield congestion hindering both teams' attempts to gain control. The soggy pitch made it difficult for players to keep their footing, but the conditions seemed to favor the hosts.

Hacken took the lead after a brilliant cross from Julius Lindberg was poked home by Isak Brusberg on the slide, completing the turnaround.

Rayo signaled their intent with a triple substitution around the hour mark, while Hacken were forced into a change due to Silas Anderson's injury.

The visitors continued to press, with Pacha Espino's long-range shot hitting the woodwork, and Samuel Leach Holm's venomous free-kick testing Batalla's reflexes. Jorge de Frutos also had a volley agonizingly wide in the final 10 minutes.

De Frutos's apparent penalty claim was waved away by the official, sparking protests from the visitors.

However, Rayo's persistence paid off in stoppage time as VAR awarded them a penalty, which Andrei Ratiu coolly converted in the 103rd minute, salvaging a 2-2 draw and preserving the visitors' unbeaten run.

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