Late Camello Strike Lifts Rayo Vallecano Past Espanyol in Tight Primera Division Clash

Rayo Vallecano left it late but secured a vital 1–0 win over RCD Espanyol de Barcelona in their Primera Division Matchday 33 encounter, decided by an 87th-minute goal from Sergio Camello.

The match in Madrid was tense and cagey for long stretches, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough. Espanyol’s early approach was combative, underlined by a booking for Pere Milla in just the second minute, followed by another yellow card for Pol Lozano midway through the first half.

Primera Division FINISHED

2026-04-23 18:00

Rayo Vallecano de Madrid

1 - 0

RCD Espanyol de Barcelona

Matchday 33 REGULAR_SEASON

Rayo also found themselves in the referee’s book before the break, as goalkeeper Augusto Batalla received a yellow card on 35 minutes. Pathé Ciss was cautioned shortly after half-time, reflecting a physical contest in the middle of the pitch.

Both coaches turned to their benches in search of control and attacking spark. Espanyol introduced Charles Pickel at half-time for Lozano, while Rayo’s key move came on 58 minutes when Ilias Akhomach replaced Alfonso Espino. Further changes followed on both sides, including Cyril Ngonge and Clemens Riedel for Espanyol and a double change for Rayo on 76 minutes, with Gerard Gumbau and Unai López entering the fray.

The decisive moment arrived in the closing stages. In the 87th minute, substitute Akhomach created the chance and Sergio Camello applied the finish for Rayo Vallecano, putting the hosts 1–0 up and sending the home crowd into celebration.

Espanyol continued to push, making a final substitution as Miguel Rubio replaced the booked Pere Milla at the 90-minute mark, but Rayo held firm to protect their narrow lead.

The victory gives Rayo an important three points in the Primera Division regular season, while Espanyol leave empty-handed after a bruising and ultimately frustrating evening. Detailed statistics such as possession, shots and full lineups were not available in the provided data.

For the complete match page, visit Ballaxy’s match centre, or see team profiles for Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol.

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Primera Division Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	FC Barcelona	34	29	1	4	89	31	58	88	W W W W W
2	Real Madrid CF	34	24	5	5	70	31	39	77	W D W D L
3	Villarreal CF	34	21	5	8	64	39	25	68	W W D W L
4	Club Atlético de Madrid	34	19	6	9	58	37	21	63	W W L L L
5	Real Betis Balompié	34	13	14	7	52	41	11	53	W D W D D
6	RC Celta de Vigo	34	12	11	11	48	44	4	47	W L L L W
7	Getafe CF	34	13	5	16	28	36	-8	44	L L W L W
8	Athletic Club	34	13	5	16	40	50	-10	44	W L W L L
9	Real Sociedad de Fútbol	34	11	10	13	52	53	-1	43	L D L D W
10	CA Osasuna	34	11	9	14	40	42	-2	42	L W L D D
11	Rayo Vallecano de Madrid	34	10	12	12	35	41	-6	42	W D W L
12	Valencia CF	34	10	9	15	37	50	-13	39	L W D L L
13	RCD Espanyol de Barcelona	34	10	9	15	37	51	-14	39	L D L L D
14	Elche CF	34	9	11	14	45	53	-8	38	L W W W
15	RCD Mallorca	34	10	8	16	42	51	-9	38	W L D W W
16	Girona FC	34	9	11	14	36	51	-15	38	L L L D W
17	Sevilla FC	34	10	7	17	41	55	-14	37	W L L W L
18	Deportivo Alavés	34	9	9	16	40	53	-13	36	L W L D D
19	Levante UD	34	8	9	17	38	55	-17	33	L D W W L
20	Real Oviedo	34	6	10	18	26	54	-28	28	L L D W W