We present a detailed recap of the opening match that kicked off the season.
The La Liga EA Sports 2023/2024 campaign began this Friday with a curtain-raiser featuring Almería and Rayo Vallecano at the Stadium of the Mediterranean Games. It was a contest between two teams entering the new year with obvious enthusiasm and a shared aim: to build momentum early and secure stability through results. The final score read 0-2 in favor of the visitors.
Almería versus Rayo Vallecano, a clash that set the tone for the opening weekend, signaled a strong start for the away side. Subscribers could watch La Liga through DAZN from €18.99 per month, a note for fans looking to follow the action beyond the stadiums.
Minute by minute Almeria vs. Rayo Vallecano of LaLiga
The broadcast brought the action to life, and viewers were treated to a competitive 90 minutes. Almería showed bright moments and finish, but the day belonged to the visitors who capitalized on their chances and shut down the opposition when it mattered most. Despite the Stat lines tipping in favor of Almería at times, the result remained a testament to the effectiveness of the Rayista defense and their clinical finishing in front of goal.
In a season already noted for its ambition, Rayo Vallecano began with a win in LaLiga for the first time since 2013, a milestone that ended a run of five consecutive campaigns without securing victory on opening day (3 draws, 2 losses). It was also a rare away triumph on league debut since 2000, underscoring the significance of the victory in a new era for the club.
The final whistle at the Power Horse Stadium confirmed a positive start for Rayo Vallecano as they took the three points in this 2023/24 campaign. Two first-half penalties, converted by Isi Palazón and Nteka, provided the decisive margin and underscored the visitors’ effectiveness in transition and set-piece situations. Almería pressed hard and showed moments of promise, but a resolute performance from Dimitrievski in goal kept the home side at bay, making five timely saves that preserved the clean sheet for his team.
The opening 45 minutes delivered a pulsating rhythm with two penalties that propelled Rayo Vallecano ahead. The first penalty, awarded after a defensive miscue on a routine build-up, was calmly slotted by Isi Palazón. The second penalty arrived following a handball by Akieme, and Nteka stepped up to finish decisively. The stage set for a dramatic second half as the teams headed to the locker rooms with the scoreline reflecting Rayo Vallecano’s two-goal cushion.
Minute 45+6 marked the end of the first half with a flourish, signaling the halfway break and a forecast of more action after the pause. The first period statistics tallied 12 shots in total, with five on target, and two penalties transformed by the visitors shaped the early narrative of the match.
At the 28-minute mark, a key moment sealed the deal for Rayo Vallecano: a goal by Randy Nteka, his left-footed finish sealing the score at 0-2 after a composed penalty conversion. Earlier, at 20 minutes, Isi Palazón had opened the scoring from the spot, delivering a measured and confident finish that put Almería behind early in the encounter. Almería pushed forward in search of a reply but met a solid defensive structure and the reliable goalkeeping of Dimitrievski, who made several crucial saves to keep his sheet clean.
As the match progressed, Almería continued to press and create chances, yet the night belonged to a Rayista squad that executed its game plan with discipline and efficiency. The narrative of the 2023/24 season began with an away victory that carries symbolic weight for a team eager to build momentum after years of fluctuating form and a series of near-misses on opening weekends.
In the end, Rayo Vallecano claimed the three points, and the arena settled into the routine of a season that promises intensity and competitive balance. The outcome underscored the importance of early goals and the value of maintaining composure under pressure, especially on the opening day when every result sets the tone for what lies ahead.
Source: Goal