La Liga Gameweek 2
Athletic Club 1 - 0 FT Rayo Vallecano
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Futmetrix Verdict
52
FT
Sat, Sep 19
Brighton
3-0
Arsenal
⚡ Intensity
37
⚖️ Balance
17
🏆 Stakes
70
🎲 Upset
80
Brighton dismantle league leaders Arsenal.
Futmetrix Verdict
62
FT
Sat, Sep 19
Newcastle
2-1
Hull City
⚡ Intensity
61
⚖️ Balance
41
🏆 Stakes
40
🎲 Upset
0
Early blitz secures Newcastle home victory
Futmetrix Verdict
81
FT
Sat, Sep 19
Tottenham
2-3
Aston Villa
⚡ Intensity
90
⚖️ Balance
43
🏆 Stakes
15
🎲 Upset
60
Aston Villa stun Spurs in thriller
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Andrei Rațiu 22'
Unai López 23'
HT
46' ↓ M. Sannadi ↑O. Sancet
↓ U. Lopez ↑G. Gumbau 55'
↓ P. Diaz ↑F. Perez 55'
64' Oihan Sancet
66' O. Sancet
67' ↓ I. Ruiz de Galarreta ↑B. Prados Diaz
Álvaro García 69'
Josep Chavarría 79'
↓ I. Palazon ↑S. Camello 79'
79' ↓ I. Williams ↑G. Guruzeta
↓ J. de Frutos ↑R. Nteka 79'
↓ P. Chavarria ↑O. Trejo 82'
87' ↓ A. Berenguer ↑M. Vesga
88' ↓ N. Williams ↑U. Gomez
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Athletic Club
Goalkeepers
Unai Simón 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Jesús Areso 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dani Vivian
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aitor Paredes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuri Berchiche 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Mikel Jauregizar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Iñaki Williams
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Álex Berenguer 
NPC
87
Minutes
87
Minutes
15%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Nico Williams
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Maroan Sannadi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
BENCH
Álex Padilla 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Adama Boiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andoni Gorosabel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Íñigo Lekue
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Unai Gómez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Robert Navarro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Beñat Prados
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Oihan Sancet 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
45
Minutes
7.3
Rating
Mikel Vesga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gorka Guruzeta
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nico Serrano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jon de Luis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rayo Vallecano
Goalkeepers
Augusto Batalla
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Andrei Rațiu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Florian Lejeune 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Luiz Felipe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pep Chavarría
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
Midfielders
Isi Palazón
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Pathé Ciss 
MAGNET
75
Activity
75
Activity
67
Passes
8
Duels
Unai López
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Álvaro García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Pedro Díaz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Jorge de Frutos
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
BENCH
Dani Cárdenas
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Iván Balliu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alfonso Espino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pelayo Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jozhua Vertrouwd
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gerard Gumbau 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
3
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Randy Nteka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fran Pérez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Óscar Trejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Óscar Valentín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergio Camello
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Juanpe Gil
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/25/2025 | Athletic Club | 1 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | San Mamés |
| 04/13/2025 | Athletic Club | 3 - 1 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | San Mamés Barria |
| 12/01/2024 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 - 2 | Athletic Club | La Liga | Estadio de Vallecas |
| 05/25/2024 | Rayo Vallecano | 0 - 1 | Athletic Club | La Liga | Estadio de Vallecas |
| 12/02/2023 | Athletic Club | 4 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | San Mamés Barria |
| 03/05/2023 | Rayo Vallecano | 0 - 0 | Athletic Club | La Liga | Estadio de Vallecas |
08/25/2025
04/13/2025
12/01/2024
05/25/2024
12/02/2023
03/05/2023
Athletic Club Win
Rayo Vallecano Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -7
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Athletic Club
Rayo Vallecano
Athletic Club
Rayo Vallecano
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Sancet's Spot-Kick Seals Athletic's Perfect Start
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. A narrow but vital win for Athletic Club, who extend their flawless campaign against a Rayo Vallecano side that dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge when it mattered.
VAR confirms, Sancet delivers
This six-pointer hinged on a controversial VAR intervention in the 64th minute. Oihan Sancet, introduced at the interval, showed ice-cold composure from the penalty spot two minutes later to seal Athletic Club's second consecutive victory. That clinical finish proved decisive in a match defined by defensive Intensity over attacking fireworks—exactly what the stakes demanded.
Defensive masterclass overshadows possession battle
The Athletic Club backline was imperious. Jesús Areso orchestrated a man-of-the-match display with 1 key pass that threaded the attacking line, while Nico Williams crafted 2 dangerous passes from midfield to sustain the creative threat. Athletic fired 11 shots with 4 finding the target, demonstrating ruthless efficiency. Rayo Vallecano, despite controlling 59% possession and completing 498 passes, mustered just 1 shot on target and an xG of 0.29—a damning indictment of their toothless attacking play. The visitors' four yellow cards painted a picture of frustration.
Balance tilted, title race implications
Athletic now sits at 6 points from 2 games with a perfect record intact. Rayo tumbles to 8th with 3 points, their early-season hopes already dented. This wasn't a spectacle—it was a statement. Athletic's ability to grind out results through defensive Balance and penalty-box efficiency marks them as genuine contenders. Rayo's upset factor evaporated the moment Sancet stepped up to the spot.
Key Questions
How did the VAR penalty decision reshape the match?
VAR confirmed the penalty in the 64th minute, breaking the deadlock. Sancet converted two minutes later, rewarding Athletic's defensive solidity and ending Rayo's hopes.
Why couldn't Rayo convert their possession dominance into goals?
Rayo owned 59% possession but only 1 shot on target. Their 0.29 xG exposes poor decision-making against Athletic's impenetrable defensive setup.
What does this result mean for Athletic's title credentials?
Athletic extends their perfect record to 2 wins from 2 with 6 points. They've proven they can grind out tight wins—a hallmark of champions.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Survival Instincts Take Centre Stage
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 45/100. While mid-table on paper, both sides are treating this as a critical fight for survival to avoid an early-season spiral.
The Setup
On August 25, Athletic Club hosts Rayo Vallecano at the stadium in a match where the Stakes (7.0) are unexpectedly high. Athletic currently sits 8th, but their Form has been maddeningly inconsistent (LWLWL), leaving them vulnerable. Rayo Vallecano, positioned just one spot behind in 9th, has struggled to find Balance, accumulating three draws in their last five outings. In a league where the gap between the European spots and the danger zone can vanish in a fortnight, this encounter carries the weight of a true relegation battle.
Key Battle
The tactical heart of this match lies on the flanks. Nico Williams enters the fray as the ultimate Stars performer for the hosts, capable of dismantling defensive lines with his pace. He will be countered by Rayo’s Jorge de Frutos, who has been the visitors' primary outlet for transition play. If Rayo cannot isolate Williams and prevent him from receiving the ball in space, their back line will be in for a long evening under intense pressure.
Our Prediction
The match is likely to unfold as a cagey affair dictated by the fear of losing ground. Athletic Club will look to dominate possession and use the creativity of Oihan Sancet to unlock the visitors. While Isi Palazón remains a constant threat for Rayo on the counter, the reliability of Unai Simón in goal should give the home side the platform they need. Expect a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Athletic, as their superior individual quality in the final third proves the difference.