Rayo Vallecano Steal It Late in Vitoria

Deportivo Alavés 1–2 Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | 23 May 2026

Rayo Vallecano produced a composed and clinical second-half comeback to claim all three points at Mendizorroza, overturning a first-half deficit with goals from Sergio Camello Pérez and Randy Ntekja to leave Alavés empty-handed in a match they had largely dominated on the surface.

Match Analysis

Alavés looked well-positioned to take the points when Antonio Martínez López broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, finishing with a composed left-foot shot from an Ángel Pérez assist. It was an encouraging start for Enrique Sánchez Flores' side, who would go on to generate the greater volume of threat throughout the contest — registering 19 total shots to Rayo's 15, and an impressive 11 shots on target compared to the visitors' 7. Their 49 dangerous attacks dwarfed Rayo's 23, and they earned 10 corners to Rayo's 5.

And yet, football has a way of punishing teams who fail to convert dominance into goals, and that is precisely what unfolded here. Despite 48% possession and those strong attacking numbers, Alavés were unable to extend their advantage — and the game began to shift when Iñigo Pérez made his tactical adjustments. Sergio Camello Pérez entered from the bench in the 38th minute in place of Carlos Martín, and the half-time double substitution — bringing on Jorge De Frutos Sebastián for Álvaro García — further reshaped Rayo's attack.

The booking-heavy second half told its own story of a game played under growing tension. Camello himself was cautioned in the 54th minute for a foul, followed by Pathé Ciss in the 64th, before Alavés were hit with Ángel Pérez's yellow card for time-wasting in the 69th — an ominous sign that the hosts were feeling the pressure.

The equaliser arrived in the 73rd minute when Sergio Camello Pérez — booked just 19 minutes earlier — struck a left-foot shot assisted by the freshly introduced Pathé Ciss to level the tie. It was a sharp, opportunistic finish that fundamentally changed the complexion of the game. With Alavés beginning to show signs of anxiety — Nahuel Tenaglia and Abderrahman Rebbach also picked up yellows late on — Rayo pounced for the winner in the 90th minute. Randy Ntekja converted with a left-foot effort, assisted by Camello, to send Rayo home with a dramatic victory. Both sides maintained a passing accuracy of 80% and 82% respectively, suggesting neither team was overwhelmed technically, but Rayo's decisiveness in front of goal proved the decisive factor.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast pointed to a 1–0 Alavés home win, with a confidence rating of just 56/100 — reflecting the genuine uncertainty in this fixture. The prediction proved incorrect, as Rayo Vallecano's second-half quality overturned what seemed like a reasonable first-half lead. In hindsight, the statistical profile of the match — Alavés creating more but Rayo converting more efficiently — aligned with a scenario our model perhaps underweighted: the visitors' ability to absorb pressure and strike late.

Key Takeaways

• Camello was the difference-maker, scoring and assisting after coming on as a substitute — a standout individual impact.
• Alavés' inability to double their lead despite superior chances ultimately cost them dearly.
• Rayo's late-game composure under physical and tactical pressure underlines their resilience as a unit.
• For Alavés and Flores, this result serves as a reminder that efficiency in front of goal matters more than volume of chances alone.