Osasuna earned their third victory of the season, continuing a steady climb in the standings. Rubén García found the net late in the game to secure a crucial win for the home side, building on an earlier period of dominance that saw Osasuna edge ahead after a tense start. The triumph arrived after a well-fought clash in which the visitors, Rayo Vallecano, pushed back hard but could not disrupt the rhythm that had carried Osasuna through most of the afternoon.
Osasuna’s momentum at home set the tone for a bold display by the rojillos. Coach Arrasate kept faith in a strong core by naming ten of the starting XI from the match against Betis, underscoring a belief in cohesion and a compact defensive structure. The opening minutes were intense, with Torró absorbing a blow to the face and the officiating team consulting VAR as play moved quickly from one end to the other. The home side immediately asserted themselves with urgent, vertical play that tested Dimitrievski’s reflexes and forced early saves.
Aimar presented a clear threat for Osasuna and repeatedly demanded the ball, looking to thread inventive passes that could unlock the Rayo defense. Yet the problem lay in the final execution and in the hosts’ own ball retention, as a series of tight passes and misplaced turnovers allowed the visitors to recover and reorganize. When Osasuna did manage to move the ball with purpose, they did so with precision, creating moments that suggested a breakthrough might come at any moment.
Rayo began to settle after the first quarter of an hour, moving the tempo more deliberately as the clock ticked down. Salvi carried a lingering discomfort on a counterattack and briefly paused the game, but the visitors regrouped and continued to push for an equalizer. Osasuna, sensing an opening, pressed on and looked to exploit any lapse in the Rayo back line. A fortuitous sequence then unfolded that saw Darko’s arrival on the field change the complexion of the match. The Osasuna midfielder, entering as a substitute, connected with a well-timed pass from Juan Cruz that found space at the edge of the box and drew a decisive finish from Aimar, who tucked the ball in with a composed touch near the near post, initiating a late moment of control for the home team.
The decision-making on penalties leaned in favor of the home side at first, as a spot-kick was awarded to Rayo after a contact inside the box. A review by VAR concluded otherwise, nullifying the award and earning a caution for Nacho Vidal in recognition of the on-field actions. The match then opened up as both teams searched for a break, with Osasuna hoping to extend their advantage while Rayo pressed for a late equalizer that would change the complexion of the game.
Darko again became a decisive figure as the action moved into the final phase. A precise, long ball from Juan Cruz found him in space near the baseline, where he delivered a low-centered cross that found Aimar waiting at the far post. The young midfielder’s adept turn and decisive finish completed a sequence that demonstrated the team’s growing chemistry and tactical understanding. The goal sent the home crowd into a celebratory mood, with the team further cementing its control in the closing minutes as the defense held firm against late pressure from the visitors. The composed finish reflected a group that has matured under pressure and is willing to pursue victory with a steady, methodical approach.
After the breakthrough, Rayo attempted to respond by increasing the tempo and applying more pressure through set pieces. Lejeune’s free kicks and subsequent corners came to nought as Osasuna’s back line, anchored by Unai García and David García, held firm. Time drifted toward the final whistle, and the home side’s commitment to compact defending and quick transitions paid dividends once again. With 15 minutes left and the game reaching a fever pitch, Osasuna looked to seal the result through patient build-up and sharp finishing near the opponent’s area.
Substitutions for Arrasate were designed to sustain momentum, but the changes did not produce immediate impact. Abde continued to probe the defense with his improvisational dribbling and striking ability, applying continuous pressure on a tiring Rayo unit. His efforts, together with Rubén García’s late strike, kept Osasuna on course for a victory that felt earned rather than gifted. The win reinforced Osasuna’s status as a competitive force at El Sadar, lifting them to fourth place with nine points as the season advanced, and sending a clear message about the home side’s ambitions for the campaign.
Data sheet
Osasuna: Sergio Herrera; Nacho Vidal, Unai García, David García, Juan Cruz; Chimy Ávila (Rubén García, art. 71), Moncayola (Abde, art. 81), Lucas Torró (Darko, art. 52), Moi Gómez (Pablo Ibáñez, art. 81); Aimar Oroz, Budimir (Kike García, art. 81).
Lightning: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, Fran García; Salvi (Isi, m. 46), Óscar (Comesaña, m. 71), Ciss, Álvaro García; Camel (Falcao, D. 81), Trejo.
Targets: Aimar 1-0 (m. 55), Lejeune 1-1 (m. 75), Rubén García 2-1 (m. 90).
Judges: Muñiz Ruiz (Galician Committee), Blanco Rodríguez and Hernández Ramos. The Galician referee cautioned Unai García and Juan Cruz for Osasuna, while Álvaro and Ciss received cards for Rayo.
Events: The match, played on the fourth matchday of La Liga Santander, drew 18,745 spectators at El Sadar. Navarre native Asier Martínez, who won the 110 meters hurdles title at the European Championships in Munich, performed the ceremonial kickoff.