On 2 December, one of the matches of the 15th round of the Spanish football championship took place. Athletic (Bilbao) and Rayo Vallecano (Spain) met.
Spanish Championship, 15th round
Athletic (B ilbao) - Rayo Vallecano (Spain) - 4:0 ( 1:0)
Goals: Gorka Guruseta (23), Alfonso Espino (47), Williams (64), Nico Williams (68).
Warnings: Daniel Vivian (6), Alfonso Espino (32), Falcao (87).
Club Athletic put up an impressive performance against Rayo Vallecano in a recent La Liga match at the San Mames Barria Stadium. The home side dominated the game from start to finish, eventually securing a 4-0 victory over their opponents. The first half of the match was a tense struggle, and Athletic managed to go into the break with a slight advantage. In the 6th minute D. Vivian of Atletico received a yellow card, adding some drama to the game. Rayo Vallecano also had plenty of opportunities, but failed to realise them. However, Atletico's fortunes changed in the 23rd minute when G. Guruseta's header increased the team's lead to 2-0. This goal energised the hosts and they continued to build on their lead. "Rayo Vallecano struggled to contain Atletico's attacking impulses, and their frustration was evident in the 32nd minute when A. Espino received a yellow card. Moments after the start of the second half, Atletico scored an own goal through A. Espino, which was even more frustrating for Rayo Vallecano.
With the score at 3-0, Rayo Vallecano made a number of substitutions in the 55th minute to try and turn the tide of the match. О. Valentin, C. Perez and J. de Frutos took to the pitch in an attempt to give the team fresh energy. However, Athletic Club continued to dominate. In the 64th minute, I. Williams increased Athletic Club's lead with another great goal. In the 68th minute, another goal followed, this time by N. Williams, and the result was out of reach for Rayo Vallecano. In the last minutes of the game both teams made substitutions: in the 69th minute Rayo Vallecano released S. Camelo instead of R. Falcao. At the same time Athletic released O. de Marcos and J. Berciche in the 74th minute, O. Sunset and I. Muniain in the 75th minute, I. Williams and A. Berenguer in the 80th minute, I. Ruiz de Galarreta instead of B. Prados Diaz in the 81st minute. Prados Diaz in the 81st minute, and finally D. Viviana instead of P. Towards the end of the match, Rayo Vallecano's R. Falcao received a yellow card in the 87th minute, adding to their frustration. The final whistle sounded and Athletic celebrated a 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. The team showed great attacking play, solid defence and great teamwork. This victory will certainly give them confidence in their abilities as they continue their campaign in La Liga.
In the next round, the following matches await the rivals: Granada vs Athletic, Rayo Vallecano vs Celta.
| Athletic | Rayo Vallecano | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Kicks to the goal | 2 |
| 9 | Punches | 9 |
| 1 | Blocked shots | 1 |
| 7 | Penalty kicks | 5 |
| 2 | Kicks from outside the penalty box | 4 |
| 14 | Offences | 11 |
| 7 | Corner | 1 |
| 5 | Offsides | 2 |
| 51% | Ball possession | 49% |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 2 | Keeper saves | 1 |
| 462 | Total assists | 448 |
| 371 | Accurate assists | 353 |
| 80% | Accuracy of passes | 79% |