Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings
La Liga Matchday 6 · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganés · referee I. Díaz de Mera Escuderos · full time
Full time: Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol: Rayo Vallecano took the points in La Liga Matchday 6 on Tuesday 15 September 2026 at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The goals: Álvaro García 3', Adrià Pedrosa 26', Roberto Fernández 54'.
How Rayo Vallecano won it
The opening goal came in the 3rd minute: Álvaro García for Rayo Vallecano. Adrià Pedrosa made it 2-0 to Rayo Vallecano in the 26th minute, set up by Álvaro García. Roberto Fernández made it 2-1 to Espanyol in the 54th minute, set up by Javi Hernández.
It was 2-0 at half-time.
Omar El Hilali of Espanyol was sent off in the 90th minute (+8). The referee, I. Díaz de Mera Escuderos, showed 6 yellow cards: 5 to Rayo Vallecano and 1 to Espanyol.
Rayo Vallecano: B. San José Gil, 4-2-3-1 · Espanyol: J. González Álvarez, 4-2-3-1.
Moneyball's prediction against the result
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Why it went this way
On the day the expected goals were 2.08 for Rayo Vallecano and 1.64 for Espanyol.
Rayo Vallecano had 2 shots on target, Espanyol 5.
Rayo Vallecano had 55% of the ball and turned it into the win.
A red card changed the shape of the match, and no pre-match model can see one coming.
Where the two sides stood before this match
Rayo Vallecano came into it with 7 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.6 and conceding 2.3 a match, with 1.34 expected goals for and 1.90 against, and had won 29% of their matches.
Espanyol came into it with 8 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.4 and conceding 1.4 a match, with 1.41 expected goals for and 1.17 against, and had won 25% of their matches.
Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol: the match in numbers
| Rayo Vallecano | Match statistics | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| 55% | Ball possession | 45% |
| 2.08 | Expected goals (xG) | 1.64 |
| 16 | Total shots | 19 |
| 2 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 2 | Big chances | 2 |
| 449 | Total passes | 348 |
| 82% | Pass accuracy | 80% |
| 3 | Corners | 5 |
| 10 | Fouls | 15 |
| 0 | Offsides | 2 |
| 15 | Tackles | 8 |
| 3 | Saves | 0 |
| 5 | Yellow cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red cards | 1 |
Team statistics from Sportmonks.
Player ratings and man of the match
Man of the match: Álvaro García (Rayo Vallecano), rated 7.8 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal, 1 assist.
Rayo Vallecano
- Álvaro García 7.8 1 goal, 1 assist
- Pathé Ciss 7.8
- Adrià Pedrosa 7.7 1 goal
- Pedro Díaz 7.1
- Unai López 7.0
Espanyol
- Javi Hernández 7.2 1 assist
- Roberto Fernández 7.2 1 goal
- Quilindschy Hartman 7.2
- Bryan Zaragoza 7.1
- Edu Expósito 7.0
The lowest-rated starter was Gabriel Moscardo at 5.4. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.
What comes next
- Rayo Vallecano: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club Saturday 10 October 2026 · La Liga
- Espanyol: Espanyol vs Atlético de Madrid Saturday 17 October 2026 · La Liga
Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.
Questions about Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol
What was the score in Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol?
Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Espanyol (half-time 2-0), La Liga, Tuesday 15 September 2026.
Who scored in Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol?
Álvaro García 3', Adrià Pedrosa 26', Roberto Fernández 54'.
Did Moneyball predict Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol correctly?
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Who was man of the match in Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol?
Álvaro García, rated 7.8 by Sportmonks.
Who refereed Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol?
I. Díaz de Mera Escuderos.
Every match, before and after
Moneyball Odds writes a preview with its estimate before every match of Europe's top five leagues and the European cups, then marks it against the result, hits and misses alike.
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