La Liga Regular Season - 20
Celta Vigo 3 - 0 FT Rayo Vallecano
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
40' S. Carreira (H. Alvarez)
44' H. Alvarez
HT
54' B. Zaragoza
G. Gumbau 58'
58' H. Sotelo
C. Martin 59'
↓ G. Gumbau ↑R. Nteka 61'
↓ Pacha ↑Alemao 61'
63' ↓ H. Alvarez ↑W. Swedberg
63' ↓ H. Sotelo ↑M. Roman
I. Palazon 65'
65' I. Aspas
66' O. Mingueza
N. Mendy 66'
↓ C. Martin ↑J. Vertrouwd 68'
71' ↓ J. Rodriguez ↑M. Fernandez
71' ↓ O. Mingueza ↑J. Rueda
↓ J. de Frutos ↑O. Trejo 78'
↓ I. Palazon ↑F. Perez 79'
79' J. Rueda
83' ↓ C. Starfelt ↑H. Burcio
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celta Vigo
Goalkeepers
Ionuț Radu 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Javi Rodríguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Carl Starfelt
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
Marcos Alonso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Óscar Mingueza 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Ilaix Moriba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Sotelo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
Sergio Carreira 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Hugo Álvarez 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.3
Rating
Pablo Durán
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bryan Zaragoza
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
Iván Villar 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Carlos Domínguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Manu Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Javier Rueda 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Yoel Lago
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joseph Aidoo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Miguel Román
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Burcio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Williot Swedberg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jones El-Abdellaoui
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Borja Iglesias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Iago Aspas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rayo Vallecano
Goalkeepers
Augusto Batalla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Alfonso Espino 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Florian Lejeune
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nobel Mendy
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.7
Rating
Josep Chavarría
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Isi Palazón
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
79
Entry
Pedro Díaz 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
42%
Pass Acc
Gerard Gumbau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Forwards
Carlos Martín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Jorge de Frutos
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Álvaro García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Adrián Molina
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Dani Cárdenas
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jozhua Vertrouwd
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marco de las Sias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Óscar Trejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samu Becerra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fran Pérez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Randy Nteka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alemão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/09/2025 | Rayo Vallecano | 1 - 1 | Celta Vigo | La Liga | Campo de Futbol de Vallecas |
| 18/05/2025 | Celta Vigo | 1 - 2 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | Estadio Abanca-Balaídos |
| 10/01/2025 | Rayo Vallecano | 2 - 1 | Celta Vigo | La Liga | Estadio de Vallecas |
| 31/03/2024 | Celta Vigo | 0 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | Estadio Abanca-Balaídos |
| 11/12/2023 | Rayo Vallecano | 0 - 0 | Celta Vigo | La Liga | Estadio de Vallecas |
| 11/03/2023 | Celta Vigo | 3 - 0 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | Abanca-Balaídos |
21/09/2025
18/05/2025
10/01/2025
31/03/2024
11/12/2023
11/03/2023
Celta Vigo Win
Rayo Vallecano Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 20 GD: +32
P: 20 GD: +26
P: 19 GD: +18
P: 20 GD: +18
P: 20 GD: +1
P: 20 GD: +8
P: 20 GD: +8
P: 20 GD: +1
P: 20 GD: -2
P: 20 GD: -9
P: 20 GD: -14
P: 20 GD: -3
P: 20 GD: -9
P: 20 GD: -6
P: 20 GD: -6
P: 20 GD: -11
P: 20 GD: -12
P: 20 GD: -9
P: 19 GD: -11
League Standings
P: 27 GD: +46
P: 28 GD: +36
P: 28 GD: +22
P: 28 GD: +18
P: 27 GD: +8
P: 27 GD: +7
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -1
P: 28 GD: -7
P: 28 GD: -10
P: 27 GD: 0
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 27 GD: -7
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -9
P: 27 GD: -13
P: 27 GD: -16
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Clinical Celta dismantle Rayo at Balaídos
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 63/100. A commanding three-goal victory sees Celta climb the table while Rayo Vallecano rues missed chances and a costly second-half dismissal.
The Breakthrough at Balaídos
The Intensity was palpable from the kick-off at Estadio Abanca-Balaídos as Celta Vigo sought to assert their dominance. Although Rayo Vallecano controlled possession with 52%, it was the home side that looked more lethal in transition. A barrage of 25 combined shots turned the match into a high-stakes encounter, but Celta’s defense, marshaled by an outstanding Carl Starfelt, remained resolute. The deadlock was finally broken in the 40th minute when S. Carreira found the net following a pinpoint delivery from H. Alvarez. This opener shifted the Balance of the game, forcing the visitors to abandon their cautious approach and leave gaps at the back.
Zaragoza Strikes and Mendy Sees Red
The second half began with Rayo attempting to claw their way back, but their plans were quickly derailed. In the 54th minute, Bryan Zaragoza stepped up to the spot and coolly dispatched a penalty, doubling Celta's advantage. The Stakes grew even higher for the visitors in the 66th minute when N. Mendy was shown a straight red card for a serious foul. This disciplinary lapse effectively ended any hope of an Upset Factor, as Celta utilized their numerical superiority to dictate the tempo. Goalkeeper Ionuț Radu was called into action three times, producing vital saves to maintain the clean sheet and frustrate the ten-man opposition.
Rueda Seals the Rout
With the game firmly in their grasp, Celta's management turned to the bench to provide fresh impetus. The introduction of Javi Rueda in the 71st minute proved to be a masterstroke. The substitute needed only eight minutes to make his mark, firing home a clinical finish in the 79th minute to make it 3-0. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive win for the Galician side, reflecting their efficiency in front of goal and tactical discipline. While Celta celebrates a vital three points that bolsters their European ambitions, Rayo must reflect on a performance where defensive errors and a lack of composure cost them dearly on the road.
Key Questions
How did the red card for N. Mendy impact the match?
The red card in the 66th minute crippled Rayo's comeback hopes, allowing Celta to comfortably control the final third of the game with a man advantage.
How did substitute Bryan Zaragoza change the game?
Zaragoza’s clinical penalty in the 54th minute provided the essential two-goal cushion, effectively breaking Rayo's resolve and securing the victory.
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.
Mid-table Tussle at Abanca-Balaídos
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 60/100. Celta look to cement their European ambitions against a Rayo side desperate to snap a worrying winless slide and reclaim their identity.
The Setup
Celta Vigo host this mid-January clash at Estadio Abanca-Balaídos sitting comfortably in 7th. Their recent Form has been respectable, though a late loss in their previous outing suggests some defensive fragility that needs addressing. Visitors Rayo Vallecano travel north with dwindling momentum. Their Balance has been skewed by a blunt attack, scoring only 16 times in 19 matches this season. While they lack the world-class Stars of the league's top four, the Stakes remain high for two clubs eyeing the top half of the table as the season crosses the midway point.
Key Battle
Tactical discipline versus chaotic energy. Celta will attempt to orchestrate play through the middle, likely relying on the evergreen Iago Aspas to drop deep and find pockets of space. Rayo’s high-pressing system, often led by the industrious Isi Palazón, will aim to disrupt that rhythm and force turnovers in dangerous areas. The match will be decided by whether Rayo can maintain their physical intensity for 90 minutes or if Celta’s technical superiority eventually carves them open.
Our Prediction
A 2-1 home win is the most likely outcome. Celta are expected to control the tempo, but Rayo's directness will keep the game competitive until the final whistle. Celta’s superior quality in the final third should see them navigate any late pressure to secure the three points.