Rayo Vallecano Regroups and finally breaks the win drought with a victory over Osasuna, marking a return to form after eight games without a win. The result lifts them to the forty-point mark and helps secure their presence in the league, even as the campaign moves forward with a solid sense of relief and renewed confidence.
The Madrid club had been haunted by a stretch of thirteen winless matches from the previous season onward, and the eight-game winning run had been put aside. The team pressed on for another win, a necessary push to move past the mid-season plateau and stabilize their position after the latest setback. The last time they collected three points before this game had come against Almeria on February 6, a reminder that momentum can quickly shift in a tight league race.
The evening atmosphere was cool and hushed as kick-off approached, with temperature and tension both weighing on the stadium. The opening minutes produced a cautious, methodical duel. Both sides organized their lines effectively, creating a measured chess match rather than a free-flowing contest. The first true chances came from defense more than attack, illustrating how disciplined defending often dictates early tempo in this fixture.
Early sparks surfaced less from goal attempts and more from the wide areas, where players looked to stretch the other’s backline. The first real test came when a left-back delivered a precise cross into a dangerous zone, only to be repelled at the last moment by a vigilant goalkeeper. The balance of play leaned toward Rayo, who showed intent with an ambitious long-range try from the back line, narrowly missing the target and signaling the home side’s willingness to push forward from the outset.
Osasuna sought to carve out chances through patient buildup and quick transitions, and a driven long-range effort by Nacho Vidal forced a routine save from the keeper. The visitors respected the rhythm of the game and kept their shape, trying to pry open space behind Rayo’s defensive line without exposing themselves to counterattacks. The first half closed with both sides probing, yet the scoreboard remained level and the cup final ambitions still in view for both teams.
In the 39th minute, a well-worked sequence on the right flank culminated with Oscar Trejo meeting the ball just inside the penalty area before being challenged by Pablo Ibáñez. The ensuing moment saw Aridane attempt a clearance that rolled into his own net as he tried to extinguish the danger, gifting Rayo a narrow advantage just before the break.
Minutes later, a misread defense allowed Isi Palazón a clean sight of goal, and the winger found the target from a tight angle with his left foot, forcing a tough save from Aitor Fernández. The home crowd roared back to life, sensing a shift in mood as the team rode the momentum into the dressing rooms with a lead to protect.
When the match resumed, the tempo intensified. The moment of the game came when a powerful strike from outside the box by Rubén Peña forced a parry from the Osasuna keeper, momentarily stretching the visitors and prompting them to regroup. Moments later, Moi Gómez joined the attack, a reminder that Osasuna could not rest on any laurels and that the game remained finely balanced as the second half unfolded.
As the clock ticked forward, Osasuna found a renewed tempo, pushing hard to peg back the deficit. Rubén Peña and Moi Gómez combined to create a dangerous surge on the left side and narrowed the gap as the visitors found renewed belief. Dimitrievski, alert as ever, produced a sharp reaction to a stoppage-time chance from range, sprinting across his goal to deny a second strike that could have reopened the match and altered late-game narrative.
With Osasuna pressing forward, they created several nervy moments in the final third and threatened through Abde and Ante Budimir, but the defense held firm. A late header from Pathé Ciss, testing Aitor Fernández, nearly altered the result again, but the veteran keeper reacted decisively to preserve the lead and maintain the slender advantage as the clock wound down to its finish.
The final whistle brought a wave of jubilation from Vallecas. The home supporters celebrated a crucial nine-game stretch that culminated in reaching forty points and secured a sense of safety as the campaign advanced. Valencia fans turned positive and the team felt the weight of that late-season security lifting, a tangible relief after a season filled with ups and downs. The victory served as a vital lift, reaffirming the club’s commitment to competing at a high level while managing the pressures of a demanding schedule.
The atmosphere at Vallecas was alive with the pleasure of a hard-earned win. Fans embraced the result not only for the points but for the message it sent: the squad could still compete with the best and endure the pressures of a long season. The team left the pitch with a sense of purpose, knowing they had weathered a difficult patch and earned a result that strengthened their standing in a crowded table.