Rațiu has forgotten the disappointment of the national team and is on the ramp in La Liga. Top evolution at the start of the stage, with the highest score on the field
Rayo Vallecano beat Elche 1-0 to move seven points clear of the relegation zone, continuing their perfect run at home in head-to-head games (four wins in a row). Andrei Rațiu was the standout player of the game, with a score of 8.6.
Andrei Rațiu Photo/Facebook @rayo
Elche started better and applied pressure from the first minutes, but Augusto Batalla intervened decisively on Rafa Mir's shots. On the other side, Rayo responded through Alvaro Garcia, but without success.
Although the visitors had the initiative and several chances, efficiency was lacking and Rayo looked more dangerous towards the end of the first half, wasting an important chance in the 34th minute.
Perfectly served by Alemao, García finished from the first one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but sent it wide. A very open first half ended badly for Elche: captain Pedro Bigas was sent off after his second yellow for a hard foul on Oscar Valentin.
Down by ten, the visitors had to rethink the plan at half-time. Coach Eder Sarabia took Rafa Mir off and brought on Adria Pedrosa, who came close to scoring immediately but failed to surprise Batalla. Rayo increased the pace, and after the hour, Pep Chavarria seriously tested Dituro.
The hosts' pressure paid off
Newcomer Randy Nteka made a superb break in the box and headed home Garcia's cross from close range to score the decisive goal, his first goal for the team since January 2025.
The win proved decisive and earned Rayo three valuable points that give them more peace of mind in their fight to avoid relegation ahead of Thursday's UEFA Conference League quarter-final clash.
Andrei Rațiu was the man of the match, being marked with 8.6 for his solid evolution.
Player scores Rayo-Elche 1-0 Photo/Flashscore
For Elche, the situation gets more complicated
The team reaches six consecutive away defeats and remains just two points from the relegation zone, with the risk of being overtaken by Mallorca and Levante until the end of the stage.
