Bakambu leads Villarreal's reaction

Mishaps in the shape of injuries

The Rayo Vallecano manager had to change his plan really early. Patrick Ebert cleared an aerial ball and, with very bad luck, landed badly and lay on the pitch. The German player had to be substituted by Embarba in the 21st minute.

Injuries also affected the home team, who had to change Jaume Costa for Samu Castillejo at half time. Jonathan dos Santos also had to leave on a stretcher after an unfortunate fall towards the end of the match, being replaced by Musacchio.

Brilliant strike from Jozabed

It was Rayo Vallecano who managed to open the score thanks to a beautiful goal by Jozabed in the 41st minute. The away midfielder looked for the ball in a throw in and, without thinking twice, stroke the ball through the top right corner of Villarreal’s goal.

Areola held Villarreal

Rayo came out with a high intensity in the first minutes of the second half, with Embarba and Llorente as the most outstanding players. The latest was close to scoring Rayo’s second goal, with a header that Villarreal's keeper Alphonse Areola saved magnificently.

Home reaction

Despite the problems that Rayo created for most of the match, Villarreal grew as the minutes went by and had faith in changing the situation. A goal by Bakambu in the 60th minute, after receiving from Soldado and beating Yoel, increased the local faith.

Bakambu finalised the comeback

Four minutes before the end of the game, Villarreal completed the comeback. Once again, Bakambu was the hero. The Congolese striker took advantage of a good play by Denis Suarez to score the definitive 2-1 and give his team three important points.