Rayo Vallecano welcomed Real Sociedad to the Spanish capital on Saturday knowing that three points would move them off the bottom of the La Liga table.
The home side had the better of the chances in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Both sides had opportunities in the second period, but it was Rayo that won it late on courtesy of a penalty from Jonathan Viera.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live La Liga commentaries comes from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Real Sociedad. To suggest that both of these sides have struggled in the early part of the campaign would be the understatement of the century. However, Rayo’s problems far outweigh those of their opponents.
It was always going to be a difficult season for Rayo with a number of their key players departing in the summer. They have one of the lowest budgets in La Liga, which has made it hard to attract new personnel. Of their seven matches thus far, they have won just one, which came on the opening weekend of the new season.
It isn’t just the points that have evaded them, with their level of performance also disappointing. In recent weeks, they have been thumped 5-0 by Malaga, 4-0 by Barcelona and 4-1 by Sevilla. There is no question that Rayo boss Paco Jemez has a serious task on his hands in the next couple of months and indeed January, where he will try and add to his squad if at all possible.
In their seven matches thus far, Rayo have conceded 21 times, which is comfortably the worst record in the division at this stage of the season. Down the other end, they have managed just five goals, which again, is the worst in the league. They are struggling to defend and indeed struggling to score, which is certainly not a good combination.
TEAMS:
RAYO VALLECANO XI: Ruben; Ze Castro, Arbilla, Mojica, Adrian; Trashorras, Saul, Castillo, Larrivey; Lass, Falque
REAL SOCIEDAD XI: Bravo; C.Martinez, Ansotegi, I. Martinez, De la Bella; Markel, Elustondo, Zurutuza; Vela, Agirretxe, Griezmann
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Rayo XI this afternoon with Lass Bangoura, Larriey and Iago Falque - who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur all starting. However, on-loan Valencia midfielder Jonathan Viera only makes the bench. Sociedad, meanwhile, name an attacking lineup with Carlos Vela, Antoine Griezmann and Agirretxe all selected in the final third.
Sociedad, however, will not have much sympathy. They entered the season full of confidence after finishing fourth last season, but they have really struggled in the early part of the campaign with just seven points from their seven matches leaving them in 13th spot. They are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions.
Sociedad have also struggled in the early part of their Champions League campaign with defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayer Leverkusen leaving them bottom of Group A. Confidence has certainly been a problem thus far, but they will see this match as the chance to put a bit of form together as the season begins to gather pace.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make comfortable reading for Rayo. Sociedad have won each of the last five matches, scoring 15 goals in the process and conceding zero. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 2-0 win for Sociedad, who were also 4-0 winners on their own patch.
PREDICTION: It has not been the start that either team would have wanted this season, but Rayo will not be sympathetic towards Sociedad. The home side are in desperate need of three points, but you have to worry about the openness of their team this afternoon. It is for that reason that I am going to back a comfortable away Sociedad win, with Vela returning to the scoresheet.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Unsurprisingly, the home supporters have turned up in their numbers on this warm evening in the Spanish capital. Sociedad get the La Liga fixture underway.
Without sounding like a broken record, the atmosphere is just sensational inside the stadium. It doesn't matter how Rayo fare this season, their supporters will back them until the last moment. Bright opening from Lass as the Rayo attacker drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Carlos Martinez is on hand to clear for a corner. An early goal would certainly help Rayo's aspirations this afternoon.
Rayo's confident start continues as Castillo collects possession outside the box before driving into the Sociedad box, but Inigo Martinez is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Larrivey is down the left moments later, but his cross is into the stands. Sociedad have not been allowed to settle thus far, which is just what Paco Jemez would have wanted from his side.
First sign of Sociedad as an attacking threat as Vela drives down the left before combining with Griezmann inside the box, but Arbilla is on hand to clear the danger. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Saul searches out Iago down the other end, but Bravo manages to collect. High-tempo six minutes of football.
Griezmann has Sociedad's first effort on goal as the Frenchman cuts inside two defenders before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Ruben is across to make the save. Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities thus far, but plenty of signs that we will have goals. The noise levels remain strong inside the stadium.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as attacking spells continue to arrive. Saul takes matters into his own hands with an attempt from outside the box, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. We have not seen too much from Agirretxe thus far, who has been tasked with holding the ball this afternoon. It is the type of match where the first goal - if there indeed is one - would be decisive.
The home supporters rise to their feet as a fine passing sequence ends with Arbilla collecting possession inside the Sociedad box, but he can only drill his effort wide of the post. Sociedad are down the other end with Vela moments later, but once more his cross is into the arms of Ruben. Not too much quality in the final third from Sociedad thus far.
Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed behind his own crossbar by De la Bella, before the second is played short, eventually breaking down outside the box. It is not too difficult to see why both of these sides have struggled in the early part of the season.
Not the best challenge from Arbilla as the Rayo defender fells Vela outside the penalty area, presenting the away side with the chance to test Ruben. The resulting free kick is taken by Zurutuza, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar, which is in keeping with what we have seen thus far. It is a match that is in desperate need of some inspiration. Still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for Vela as the Mexican creates some space outside the box before striking an effort on goal, but Ruben is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner is delivered onto the head of Inigo Martinez, but he turns wide of the post. Good spell for Sociedad, with the away side just starting to take control of the tempo of the match.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last few moments with Sociedad just starting to dominate possession, not only in midfield, but also in the final third. Vela has been nice and bright thus far as he attempts to find Agirretxe inside the box, but Ze Castro manages to clear. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Larrivey meets a cross from Castillo, but his header was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Rayo's third corner of proceedings arrives moments later, but Inigo Martinez clears. It does drop to Ze Castro moments later, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Big penalty shout for the home side as Castillo goes down in the box under a challenge from Inigo Martinez, but the referee is not interested. It did appear that the away side were starting to take control of the tempo, but Rayo have lifted their performance in the last couple of moments. That said, we still await the first real chance of the afternoon with 27 minutes on the clock.
Griezmann is next to try his luck from distance for Sociedad, but his effort is straight into the arms of Ruben. The Rayo stopper has been the busier of the two goalkeepers, but he has been fairly comfortable in his work thus far. Neither team is really in control at the moment as each continues to lose possession in the final third.
It's good work from Lass as the Rayo forward dances into the Sociedad box before attempting to feed a low cross into the box, but Griezmann is on hand to perform his defensive duties. The resulting corner is delivered by Trashorras, but Sociedad scramble clear once more. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
CROSSBAR! The home side come within an inch of taking the lead as Adrian finds some space inside the box before attempting to lift his effort over the head of Bravo, but it smashes against the crossbar before De la Bella clears the danger. Good spell for the home side in the last five minutes or so.
Half-chance for Agirretxe this time as the Sociedad striker turns on the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but again it is comfortable for Ruben. Meanwhile, the referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges arriving from both sets of players.
Sociedad continue to try their luck from distance with Vela and Zurutuza both having efforts from outside the box, but neither come close to bringing the opening goal of the match. A deep corner presents a chance to Inigo Martinez moments later, but he gets in a tangle, allowing Mojica across to clear the danger. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for the away side as Agirretxe meets a cross from Vela, but once more his header is high and wide of the crossbar. Vela clips another dangerous cross into the box moments later, but Griezmann cannot make proper contact. Still goalless with 41 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but Rayo have started to enjoy more of the ball. However, it has been a stop-start tempo in the last few minutes with a couple of players suffering injuries. In truth, neither side has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings.
POST! Rayo hit the woodwork for the second time in the first period as Larrivey meets a cross from Iago, but his header smashes off the post. The pressure continues as Saul delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Inigo Martinez manages to clear the danger.
HALF TIME: Rayo 0-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, it has not been the best of 45 minutes that you will see in La Liga this season, but both sides have had their moments. It is the type of match where one goal could be enough to secure all the points.
STATISTICS: Rayo have had more of the possession with 66%, but they have managed just three attempts to Sociedad's seven. That said, two of Rayo's attempts have hit the woodwork. In truth, a draw is just about a fair reflection of what we have seen thus far.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Jonathan Viera, Alberto Bueno and Alberto Perea. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Seferovic, Castro and Cadamuro in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see changes made early in the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Levante against Real Madrid, be sure to remain with us for that. No changes for either side at the interval as Rayo get the second period underway.
Excuse me, there was indeed one change at the interval for the home side with Tito on to replace Mojica, who is believed to have suffered an injury in the latter stages of the half. The noise levels remain high inside the stadium as Rayo start the second 45 minutes on the front foot. Let's hope for more incident in this half of football.
Iago attempts to force the issue for the home side as he collects possession outside the box before feeding a pass towards Lass, but Ansotegi is across to clear at the vital moment. It has been a busy start to the second period for the referee, meanwhile, as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides. It would not be a surprise to see a few cards in the second period.
Nervous moment for Ruben as the Rayo keeper decides to dribble out of his own defence, but he does manage to clear the danger under pressure from Griezmann. It does appear that there is some movement on the home side's bench with Jonathan Viera preparing to enter proceedings, which is not much of a surprise.
CHANCE! The clearest chance of the second period comes to Agirretxe as the Sociedad striker finds himself unmarked inside the box, but he just cannot sort out his feet in time, with Ruben on hand to clear at the vital moment. Rayo are down the other end moments later, but Bravo collects the deep cross from Lass.
Indeed the change is made as Jonathan Viera replaces Iago, who has not really influenced proceedings this evening. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Still no movement on the Sociedad bench, but I would be surprised if that did not change in the next five minutes or so.
The referee continues to become central to the match as he is forced to award a number of free kicks in quick succession. In truth, it has become an untidy affair with both sides guilty of making a number of dangerous challenges. Rayo force the issue with Larrivey moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Bravo in the Sociedad goal.
Griezmann attempts to force the issue down the left for Sociedad as he collects possession outside the box before driving down the channel, but he loses possession before fouling Ze Castro in the process. Sociedad continue to force the issue with Elustondo, but his effort is wide of the post. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
The home supporters continue to raise their voices inside the stadium, but their team is just lacking ideas at the moment. Sociedad have certainly stepped up their tempo in the last few moments, but they too are struggling for invention in the final third. I think it would be safe to say that one goal would be enough to pick up all the points this evening.
Larrivey attempts to take matters into his own hands for Rayo as he cuts inside his full-back before drilling a low cross into the box, but the danger is collected by Bravo. Jonathan Viera's first real involvement finds Bueno inside the box moments later, but the striker loses possession at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Bueno once more as the Rayo striker drives into the box before releasing an effort towards goal, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Just when you think on team is taking control, the other has a five or 10 minute spell in possession. Still goalless with little over 20 minutes of football to play in the Spanish capital.
Larrivey's presence in the air continues to cause problems to the away side as the Argentine meets a cross from Viera, but once more his header is high and wide of the target. It just is not happening for Sociedad, however, as each long ball is straight into the arms of the waiting goalkeeper. Adrian returns to the field for Rayo moments later after receiving a period of treatment.
CHANCE! Golden chance for the away side to take the lead as Vela drives into the Rayo box before finding Agirretxe, but the Spaniard can only turn his effort wide of the post from close range. He just had to score. You just get the feeling that chances will start to arrive in the latter stages.
Sociedad make their first change of the match as Seferovic replaces Zurutuza - certainly an attacking substitution for the away side. His introduction brings another opportunity for the away side as De la Bella drives into the box, but his effort just moves wide of the post.
We are getting to the stage of the match where one goal should be enough to pick up all the points. A point for Rayo would not be a bad result, but Sociedad would have expected to secure all three points from this fixture. Not too much to report in terms of chances as we approach the final 10 minutes. Is there to be late drama?
The noise levels remain sensational inside the stadium as the home supporters attempt to give their team that extra bit of energy in the final 10 minutes. In truth, neither side looks as if they are going to nick it at the moment with neither keeping hold of the possession for any extended period of time. It has not been a good advert for La Liga football in Madrid.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the away side to move into the lead as Vela finds Seferovic inside the box, but his low effort is kept out by Ruben, who has been the busier of the two goalkeepers in the second period. Still time for someone to nick this.
The intensity has certainly risen in the last couple of moments with both sides pushing for the winner. A half-chance arrives for Griezmann as he strikes one from inside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target before Larrivey delivers a cross into the arms of the goalkeeper down the other end.
Little over three minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital this evening with the scores still level at 0-0. In truth, a draw at this stage of the match is a fair reflection of what we have seen, but it is a surprise that it is not 2-2, or 3-3. There have been chances for both sides throughout the 87 minutes thus far.
PENALTY TO RAYO!
The home side have a penalty in the last minute as Viera is felled inside the box by Bravo, who collects a yellow card for his troubles. Oh my word what a moment in this match. Can Rayo nick it late on?!
GOAL! Rayo 1-0 Sociedad (Viera)
They can. Viera steps up to send his penalty into the bottom corner. Wonderful composure. Everyone inside this stadium has gone absolutely potty. But can they hold on?
The fourth official indicates that we will play three minutes of additional time and we are indeed into the second of those. Sociedad simply cannot get the ball at the moment as the home side continue to keep possession. Change for Sociedad as Castro replaces Elustondo.
FULL TIME: Rayo 1-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. Viera's late penalty secures all the points for Rayo as they move off the bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Levante against Real Madrid. Until then!
