The match unfolded on a Friday night dominated by a ferocious storm that tested every player’s concentration and stamina. Rain hammered the pitch, wind whipped across the stadium, and visibility fluctuated as the game progressed, turning each tackle and pass into a small battle against the weather as well as the clock.
On that very Friday, September 15, Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo Alavés clashed to open the fifth round of LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024. The setting was dramatic, the tension palpable, and both teams knew that every point would count in a season that promised to be fiercely competitive. Fans at the Vallecas venue braced themselves for a contest that would test more than technical ability; it would test nerve, endurance, and the ability to adapt under adverse conditions.
Live coverage of the Rayo Vallecano versus Alavés fixture from LaLiga 2023-2024 drew attention from supporters across North America and beyond, all keen to see how the Madrid side would respond after a recent setback and whether the babazorros could convert a good run of form into another valuable result away from home.
Rayo Vallecano entered the match following a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis, a result that left the squad hungry for a positive reaction. Alavés, meanwhile, arrived buoyant after a 1-0 win over Valencia in their most recent league outing, a victory secured by a contentious moment that involved a Cenz Özkacar own goal. The game promised to be a tactical chess match, with both teams seeking to impose their game plans despite the adverse weather and the pressing atmosphere around Vallecas.
As the clock moved forward, a late first-half opportunity could have tilted the balance in favor of Rayo. Isi Palazón earned a penalty after a robust sequence just before the break, yet a foul by Guridi suggested that the decision might not be straightforward to convert. The incident underscored how every decision would matter in a contest shaped by intensity and the sting of the elements, with Alavés showing flashes of resilience as they sought to steady the ship and reorganize during the interval.
Returning to Vallecas after the break, the match swung decisively in favor of Rayo when a counter-attack broke through Alavés’ lines and yielded a precise finish from Jorge de Frutos, who found the target from a well-timed assist by Álvaro García. The strike extended Rayo’s advantage and, coupled with their earlier chances, underscored the home side’s capacity to seize control under pressure. The storm continued to rage, but the result stood firm as Rayo secured three precious points in front of their supporters.
Minute by minute of Rayo Vallecano vs. Deportivo Alaves
The live and instant online summary of Rayo Vallecano vs. Deportivo Alavés of La Liga 2023-2024: video, lineups, goals and stats
A remarkable save from Antonio Sivera kept Rayo from widening the lead, preserving Alavés’ hopes for a comeback and illustrating how a single moment can influence the narrative of a match under floodlights and rain.
Isi Palazón delivered a testing cross with pace, and the sequence culminated in an opening for a late-market opportunity as the ball rolled toward the penalty area after a well-placed cross from the right flank.
XI OF RAY VALLECANO
Dimitrievsky; Ivan Balliu; Ariadne Hernández, Florian Lejeune, Luis Espino; Oscar Valentín, Kike Pérez, Unai López, Álvaro García, Isi Palazón; Sergio Camello.
XI OF DEPORTIVO ALAVES
Antonio Sivera; Andoni Gorosabel, Rafa Marín, Abdel Abqar, Rubén Duarte; Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco, Álex Sola, Jon Guridi, Luis Rioja; Kike Garcia.
Source: Goal