Rayo Vallecano and Valencia CF shared the points this Monday in Vallecas (1-1) in the last match of the fourteenth round of LaLiga EA Sports, in which centre-back Nobel Mendy put the Madrid team ahead in the final minutes of the first half and the ‘che’ team, which was unable to distance itself from relegation, cushioned the blow thanks to Diego López’s goal in the 64th minute.
In the first 45 minutes in Vallecas, Iñigo Pérez’s men were the ones who scored the best chances against a well-established Valencian team that was trying to surprise with more direct football. Fran Pérez warned after five minutes with a shot from the front that was stopped by Julen Agirrezabala, and shortly after Carlos Corberán’s team responded with a shot from Luis Rioja that skimmed the side of the net.
The Madrid team continued to insist and almost scored on a double occasion in which the goalkeeper ‘Che’ rejected a first attempt by Jorge de Frutos and Copete, on the line, took the second shot from Fran Pérez. Just a few minutes later, Gerard Gumbau sent another ball hitting the post, although the one who did not miss was Nobel Mendy.
In the 37th minute, in a rehearsed play after a corner kick, Gumbau put a good cross to the near post and the Senegalese centre-back appeared to finish with a header and send the ball to the back of the goal. Already in extra time of the first half, Diego López forgave the tie in an action in which the ball touched Álvaro García.
After the break, Rayo threatened to extend their advantage with a cross shot by Álvaro, but Valencia, in the 64th minute, managed to neutralize Rayo’s goal. In a bad clearance by the local team, the ball was dead for Diego López; Turón’s shot so that the ball, after bouncing off Gumbau, ended up at the feet of Mendy, who in his attempt to clear it sent it inside; The African would not finish the match, leaving injured in the 81st minute.
With its third consecutive draw and fourth straight day without winning, Rayo ends the day ninth with 17 points, seven away from the European positions. For its part, Valencia fails to continue its victory against Levante and is left with 14 points, only two above the relegation zone.