LaLiga: Athletic Club's Top-Six Hopes Take Hit with Draw

Rayo Vallecano earn hard-fought draw against Athletic

Athletic Club's unbeaten head-to-head run against Rayo Vallecano reaches nine matches with a 1-1 draw in LaLiga. Inaki Williams' second-half equaliser denies Rayo Vallecano a crucial win, keeping Athletic Club eighth in the table.

Rayo Vallecano climb to 14th with a point against Athletic, extending their unbeaten home run to 11 games...

Athletic Club's charge up the table was halted by a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Despite the stalemate, they've extended their unbeaten head-to-head run against Rayo to nine matches.

Rayo Vallecano nearly took the lead early on, with Pacha Espino's effort almost sneaking past Unai Simon. The ball took a deflection and looked set to hit the back of the net, but Simon managed to push it behind for a corner.

Florian Lejeune was next to threaten for Rayo shortly after with a header that required another Simon intervention, and the Spanish goalkeeper continued to earn his keep inside the opening half-hour by preventing Alvaro Garcia’s header from finding the bottom corner.

Athletic Club's struggles continued as they trailed 10 minutes before half-time. Rayo's Garcia held his run perfectly, squaring for Jorge de Frutos to fire home at the far post – a goal confirmed after a VAR check.

FT: #RayoAthletic 1-1

Points shared, drama delivered! ⚡#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/GohBv2yEG6

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 28, 2026

That strike put Rayo in a strong position given they were unbeaten when scoring the first goal in LaLiga this season, but less than two minutes into the second half, they were pegged back. A long pass into the area was headed by Alex Berenguer into the path of Inaki Williams, and the forward took a touch before arrowing a volley into the back of the net.

Chances were scarce after the equaliser, with Rayo unable to match their first-half intensity and Athletic never looking to push for the win.

Rayo may have missed out on a win, but they've extended their unbeaten home run to 11 games, with only one defeat in their last 12 competitive matches at home. They're now 14th, three points above the drop zone.

Athletic Club remain eighth, but their draw means they've failed to gain ground on the teams above them in the European qualification battle.