Villarreal travelled to Rayo Vallecano on Monday knowing that victory would move them to within two points of the top four in La Liga.
Goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Jeremy Perbet (2) left the away side with a 3-0 lead at the end of a incredible first half of football.
Uche scored twice more in the second half to complete his hat-trick as the Yellow Submarine ran riot in Madrid.
However, the home side had a consolation through Nery Castillo after 66 minutes, before the Mexican scored his second from the spot late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 17 in La Liga draws to a close this evening from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Villarreal. It has been a difficult season for the home side thus far, with a total of just 13 points from their 17 games leaving them in 19th spot in the table. Villarreal, meanwhile, occupy seventh following a solid campaign to date.
As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in Madrid was in March 2012, when Villarreal collected all three points courtesy of a 2-0 win. The Yellow Submarine were also victorious by the same scoreline when they welcomed Rayo earlier in the season, but the results counted for nothing as they were relegated at the end of the campaign.
TEAMS:
RAYO: Cobeno; Tito, Galvez, Rodri, Nacho; Trashorras, Adrian; Saul, Lass, Viera; Bueno
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Dorado, Costa; Pina, Trigueros, Gomez; Perez, Uche, Perbet
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Rayo XI this evening with Lass Bangoura and Jonathan Viera once more selected in attacking positions. Meanwhile, Alberto Bueno also starts. Villarreal are still without Bruno and Cani, but there is a start for exciting youngster Moi Gomez in midfield.
It threatened to be a difficult season for Rayo after losing a number of key players in the summer and so it has proved. They have won just four of their 17 matches this season, with 13 points leaving them in 19th position. Remarkably, they have drawn just once in the league this season, while they have lost 12 times.
Their home form has been fairly disappointing with just two wins from their eight games, scoring just eight times in the process and conceding 18. There is no question that they play good football, but they are incredibly open. Two wins have come on the road, meanwhile, but they have conceded 22 times on their travels.
As it stands, Rayo have the worst goals conceded record in the league having shipped 40 times in their 17 matches. That is an incredible 22 more than Villarreal and significantly more than the vast majority of teams around them. Down the other end, they have found the back of the net just 16 times, while Villarreal have scored 27 in the league.
An impressive start to the season has left Villarreal in seventh position in the table, but they have won just two of their last six in the league. Back-to-back defeats also arrived before the winter break against Barcelona and Sevilla. They are still in touching distance of the top four, but a top-half finish would prove to be a success for the newly-promoted side.
Four of Villarreal’s eight league wins this season have come on the road, while they have conceded just seven times on their travels. Their home form has also been strong with just two defeats from nine, but they have demonstrated their ability to pick up points away from home. If they are to qualify for Europe, these are the types of matches that they simply have to win.
PREDICTION: Villarreal do not enter this match in the best run of form, but overall, they have been impressive this season. Rayo certainly have the capabilities to pick up all three points this evening, but it depends which Rayo turns up. All things considered, I am going to sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Right, the away side get the first 45 minutes underway in the Spanish capital.
As usual, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, but it is not a full house this evening. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive in this type of match. Not too much to report in the early exchanges, but Rayo are enjoying possession of the ball as Lass delivers a cross into the arms of Asenjo.
Rayo continue to make most of the early running with Viera and Lass causing problems with their pace and movement in wide areas. Lass's pace takes the number seven into the Villarreal box moments later, but Mario is across to clear the danger, before Adrian tests Asenjo from outside the box.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides prepared to commit numbers in the final third. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Lass delivers a low cross into the Villarreal box, but Musacchio manages to clear at the vital moment. High tempo to the opening six minutes of this La Liga contest.
CROSSBAR! Chance for the home side to threaten from a free kick as Pina fells Viera on the edge of the Villarreal box. Galvez stands over the resulting free kick before smashing his effort against the top of the crossbar. The home side are in control of the early stages.
Villarreal are really struggling at the moment as another late challenge on Viera, this time from Musacchio, hands Rayo another free kick. Galvez takes once more, but this time his effort is wide of the post. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score during this period of domination.
GOAL! Rayo 0-1 Villarreal (Uche)
Well, that sums up Rayo's season. Wonderful attacking football, but poor defending. The away side take the lead after 10 minutes as Uche turns Perbet's cross into the back of the net from close range.
In fairness to the home supporters, they continue to create a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. It is important that Rayo stay in touching distance of their opponents in the next 10 minutes or so. The early indications are that we will have plenty of goals this evening.
GOAL! Rayo 0-2 Villarreal (Perbet)
Villarreal score their second after just 12 minutes on the clock. This time it is wonderful work from Gomez, who drives down the left before finding Perbet, who turns home from close range. Game over?!
Shambles, utter shambles in defence for the home side as Villarreal come close to their third with a couple of crosses into the box, but Cobeno manages to collect under pressure from Perbet. This match is so incredibly open as Rayo continue to commit numbers in the final third. This score could be anything this evening.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Lass finds some space just inside the box before testing Asenjo, but the Villarreal goalkeeper makes the save. End-to-end football at the moment with each midfield being by-passed. It is like a basketball match at the moment.
Another half-chance for the away side as Perbet tries his luck from outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Rayo break down the other end with Lass, but the attacker is closed out by two defenders. The opening 20 minutes of this Spanish contest has just flown past. Wonderful entertainment.
Remarkably, Villarreal goalkeeper Asenjo has been warned twice about timewasting after just 22 minutes. You rarely see that. Villarreal are again on the counter moments later with Uche, but the Nigerian cannot find his strike partner Perbet with a through pass.
CHANCE! The home side come close to their first of the match as Saul beats two men on the edge of the box before firing a powerful effort towards the bottom corner, but Asenjo is across to make a fine save. The resulting corner eventually falls to Lass, but his cross is blocked by Pina.
Half-chance for Villarreal this time as Hernan Perez collects a loose ball inside the Rayo box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Uche wanted a penalty moments before after falling under contact from Tito, but the referee was not interested. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining. It has been a stunning La Liga contest thus far as Perbet's low cross is cleared by Nacho Martinez.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but you just get the feeling that something will happen each time the ball is in the final third. Neither has defended particularly impressively thus far, while both have pace and movement in attack. If Rayo are to get back into this match then they simply have to score the next goal.
POST! Rayo come close to opening their tally for the evening as Viera dances into the Villarreal box, but his low effort smashes off the foot of the post. Twice Rayo have hit the woodwork this evening. Has there been a more entertaining 31 minutes of Spanish football this season?
The home side continue to threaten as Lass finds some space outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but Asenjo is on hand to make a fine save to his left. This is almost an action replay of Rayo's season thus far - plenty of opportunities, but unable to find the back of the net on a consistent basis. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Villarreal to score their third on the counter as Uche finds Perbet just inside the box, but his effort smashes into the side netting. This match could have been 4-4. I would be utterly astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening.
Another opportunity for the home side as Viera beats two defenders on the edge of the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort drops just wide of the post. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. Hardly any of the football has been played in the middle of the park.
CHANCE! The opportunities continue to arrive as Galez meets a header from Viera, but somehow he fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar. How on earth have Rayo not scored in the first period?
GOAL! Rayo 0-3 Villarreal (Perbet)
Villarreal have their third and Perbet has his second as the Frenchman turns a low cross from Gomez into the back of the net. Game, set and match surely.
It is harsh on the home side, but they continue to create their own problems in defence. They have had just as many chances as Villarreal this evening, but trail 3-0, which has been the story of their season. Little over one minute of the first period remaining.
HALF TIME: Rayo 0-3 Villarreal
And breathe! Wow, what a half of football in the Spanish capital. Rayo have had a number of golden opportunities, but trail 3-0 to Villarreal at the interval. In terms of pure entertainment, it has been one of the best 45 minutes of football in La Liga this season.
STATISTICS: Rayo have had 71% of the possession, while they have had an incredible 11 attempts to Villarreal's six. Four of Rayo's attempts have been on target, but they have been unable to make the breakthrough. There have been two yellow cards, meanwhile, in a highly-charged first half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Castillo, Alberto Perea and Adri Embarba. Meanwhile, Villarreal have the likes of Giovani dos Santos, Javier Aquino, Bruno and Jonathan Viera on a talented bench. Plenty of goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Rayo would remain in 19th position, while Villarreal would move into sixth. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes of action underway in the Spanish capital.
Two changes for the home side at the interval with Castillo and Mojica entering in place of Tito and Adrian. Villarreal have also made a change with Javier Aquino replacing Hernan Perez. Let's hope for more of the same in the second period. An early attempt comes from Bueno, but his effort is just wide of the post. It has started already.
The home supporters must be credited for creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium with their side 3-0 behind. They are among the most loyal in the land there is no question about that. Villarreal threaten with a couple of corners in quick succession, but Rodri and Galvez take it in turns to clear the danger.
Rayo just need to be a little bit careful here with a number of their players on yellow cards. It would not be a surprise to see the referee reach for the red as the match continues to open up in the latter stages. No clear opportunities for either side in the second period and play is halted when Uche hits the deck following a challenge with Galvez.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Bueno meets a cross from Saul, but he can only flick his header wide of the post. Not too much from the Yellow Submarine as an attacking threat in the second half, but credit must be given to Rayo. Little over 35 minutes of this second period remaining. Where are the goals?!
Nasty moment for Dorado as the Villarreal defender collides with his own goalkeeper following a high ball. It does not appear that he will be able to continue as the stretcher is called for. Asenjo was also hurt in the challenge, but has not required treatment at this stage of proceedings.
Villarreal are indeed forced into their second change as Dorado is forced to leave the field on the stretcher. His replacement is Pantic for the final 30 minutes or so. Play resumes with a Villarreal throw.
GOAL! Rayo 0-4 Villarreal (Uche)
Villarreal have their fourth and Uche has his second as the Nigerian turns home from close range following smart work from Aquino inside the box.
Villarreal have been incredibly clinical in the final third this evening. They now have two players on hat-tricks. Rayo have the ball in the back of the net moments later as Galvez converts from close range, but the flag had been raised, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
Rayo are not too interested in keeping the score down and rather want to get their name on the scoresheet as they continue to commit players in the final third. It is to be admired, but Villarreal will surely pick them off on the counter attack. Rayo have one change remaining if they wish to alter proceedings in the latter stages.
Half-chance for the home side as Trashorras finds some space on the edge of the box, but his effort moves high and wide of the crossbar. Asenjo has had a number of saves to make this evening, but was not tested there. It remains 4-0 with little over 25 minutes of football remaining. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.
GOAL! Rayo 0-5 Villarreal (Uche)
Villarreal are running riot here as Uche converts from close range after Cobeno had kept out a free kick from Trigueros. Where was the defending?!
GOAL! Rayo 1-5 Villarreal (Castillo)
Rayo have their first of the evening as Castillo collects a through pass from Adri before firing his effort into the bottom corner. Another three goals and then it is game on.
Another half-chance for the away side as Aquino delivers a dangerous cross into the Rayo box, but Nacho Martinez manages to clear at the vital moment. Perbet threatens with a driven effort moments later, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Rayo might be 5-1 behind, but they are not finished as an attacking threat here. They are the only team in the league that would continue to commit players forward regardless of the score. Adri is on the break moments later, before he cannot find the run of Castillo inside the box.
Villarreal make their third and final change as Gomez is replaced by Bruno. Two assists for the former this evening. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Villarreal dropping deeper as Rayo dominate the ball.
Rayo continue to force the issue in forward areas with Lass causing problems with his pace and movement, but the final ball has not been there for the home side this evening. Perbet is the latest name to enter the book moments later with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges.
Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments with a series of challenges interrupting the flow of the match. It isn't much of a surprise that this match is drifting to a close after what we have seen in the previous 78 minutes. That said, you get the feeling that there might be one more goal in it.
Half-chance for the home side as Adri finds some space inside the box before meeting a cross from Saul, but he cannot direct his header past Asenjo from close range. All of the football is being played by Rayo with 81 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.
Aquino takes matters into his own hands moments later as he takes on the entire Rayo back four, with Nacho Martinez eventually bringing the Mexican to the ground. The resulting free kick is delivered towards Mario, but Rayo manage to clear the danger. Little over five minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.
Just a reminder that we have all the best Copa del Rey coverage this week with Atletico Madrid facing Valencia in the fifth round tomorrow. Be sure to join Sports Mole throughout the week and you will not miss a moment. Not too much to report in the last couple of moments in Madrid with both sides almost waiting for the final whistle.
Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In truth, the Spanish official has done well to keep all 22 players on the pitch, especially with Rayo's frustration growing with each passing moment. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
PENALTY TO RAYO!
Rayo are handed a late penalty as Uche fells Trashorras inside the box. It was soft, but contact was made.
GOAL! Rayo 2-5 Villarreal (Castillo, pen)
Rayo have their second of the night as Castillo slots his effort into the bottom corner. Fitting end to a wonderful contest.
FULL TIME: Rayo 2-5 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Villarreal running out 5-2 winners in the Spanish capital. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for what was an incredible contest in La Liga. Good evening!
