Monday's La Liga clash in Madrid pitted Rayo Vallecano against Cordoba.
The away side entered the interval with a 1-0 lead following an own goal from Abdoulaye Ba.
Rayo dominated possession in the second period, but could not make the breakthrough as Cordoba record a valuable three points in the Spanish capital to move out of the relegation zone.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Cordoba. It has all the makings of an entertaining affair. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of kickoff, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
RAYO: Tono; Quini, Ba, Tito; Moreno, Trashorras, Baena, Jozabed, Kakuta; Bueno, Lica
CORDOBA: Carlos; Campabadal, Pantic, Crespo, Edimar; Deivid, Rossi, Abel, Fede; Bebe, Florin
Rayo will seemingly line up in a 3-5-2 formation this evening, with on-loan Benfica forward Lica joined in attack by Alberto Bueno. There are also spots in the side for experienced midfield pair Roberto Trashorras and Raul Baena. However, Javier Aquino and Manucho are both on the bench.
The big news in the Cordoba camp is that on-loan Benfica forward Bebe makes his debut for the Spanish outfit. There is also a spot in the team for on-loan Chievo defender Deivid. Florin Andone will lead the line for the visitors, while Fausto Rossi, who is on loan from Juventus, is also in the XI.
Tonight will be the first-ever La Liga meeting between the two sides, but they have clashed plenty of times in the Segunda Division. Cordoba, however, have not won any of their last eight Segunda clashes with Rayo – losing seven times in the process. The last time that they met at this stadium was in November 2011, when Rayo claimed all three points with a 4-2 win.
Rayo will enter the match off the back of a 2-1 win over Getafe last weekend, with that result moving the capital side into 11th position in the table. They have won six of their 17 league games this season, drawing twice and losing nine. Three points here, meanwhile, would move them into ninth spot.
Home form has been a problem for Rayo this season, however, with Paco Jemez's side winning just two of their eight league games in this stadium, losing five times in the process. That is in contrast to their form on the road, where they have won four times. In truth, that is not too unusual for Rayo.
Cordoba, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone on 14 points despite recording a 2-0 win over Granada last Monday. That victory was just their second in the league this season and their first at home. In truth, it has been a struggle on their return to La Liga, but there are now some positive signs.
It will not come as much of a surprise that Cordoba have struggled for goals this season – hitting just 13 in their 17 games. Only Granada have scored fewer than the newly-promoted side, but they have not been too bad down the other end – conceding 27 times, which is far from the worst in the league.
PREDICTION! This match has all the makings of an entertaining affair. Both sides have plenty of attacking talent on display, which should mean plenty of goals in Madrid. In truth, I am finding it difficult to separate the two sides and therefore I will sit on the fence somewhat and back a 2-2 draw.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium as Rayo get the first 45 minutes underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium, but the home supporters are making their voices heard, which is not uncommon here. Rayo have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes, with both sides just attempting to find their way into the match. Rayo's first sight of goal comes from Lica, but his effort is comfortably into the arms of Carlos. Cordoba launch a counter moments later, but Tito is across to clear.
Both managers are on the touchline at the moment, but there has not been too much to shout about thus far. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this one.
Bueno tries his luck for the home side after finding space just inside the Cordoba half, but his effort is wide of the goal. That was speculative to say the least! What a goal that would have been.
BOOKING! Bebe (Cordoba) is booked following an aerial challenge with Baena.
The home supporters are making their voices heard, but there has not been too much from their side thus far, with Moreno moving into an offside position following a through pass from Kakuta.
It is good work from Bebe as the Cordoba forward finds space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross, but Ba is on hand to clear for a corner, which fails to beat the first man. Bueno is down the other end for Rayo moments later, but Carlos is on hand to claim at the vital moment.
Lica has a half-chance for the home side after finding space outside the box, but Deivid is on hand to make a smart block. Just a few signs that Rayo are starting to warm to their task here.
Well, we are 16 minutes into the match and in truth, not too much has happened thus far. Rayo are looking the more threatening in the final third, with Lica's presence causing concern, but neither side has created a chance of note thus far. Cordoba need a little more in attacking areas at the moment.
it has been better from the away side in the last couple of minutes, with Edimar causing concern inside the Rayo box, but the defender's cross is headed clear. Cordoba keep the pressure on outside the box, but Moreno brings Fede to the ground. Free kick in a good position here...
... SAVE! Bebe strikes the set piece on goal, but Tono is on hand to make the save.
Quini seems to have a problem for the home side as he hits the deck and stays there.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Bueno has the ball in the back of the net for the home side, but the Spaniard was adjudged to have been offside when he collected the ball. Correct call for me.
Well, the match has certainly livened up in the last few minutes, with both sides having bright moments in the final third. Rayo again break down the left with Kakuta, but his cross is gathered by Carlos.
CHANCE! Rayo's best chance of the match falls to Lica as the striker meets a beautiful pass from Bueno, but his header is just wide of the post. All Rayo at the moment.
BOOKING! Ba (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Andone.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with Fede leading the Cordoba charge and Bueno threatening for the home side. Rayo force a free kick in a dangerous area as Moreno is brought to the ground by Abel. However, the set piece from Kakuta is high and wide of the crossbar.
Cordoba have just managed to quell the pressure in the last couple of moments, but they are struggling for inspiration in the final third. Aside from Fede, their attackers have hardly featured thus far.
CLOSE! Bebe comes close to opening his account for Cordoba as the attacker strikes one from the edge of the box, but his effort is just deflected wide of the post. Tono was stranded there!
It has not been the most inspiring half of football, but both sides have had chances to open the scoring. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be crucial. It is that type of game at the moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Lica meets a deep cross from Kakuta, but his flicked effort is just wide of the post. The forward has looked the most likely for Rayo.
GOAL! Rayo 0-1 Cordoba (Ba OG)
Cordoba take the lead with 39 minutes on the clock as Ba turns a low Andone cross into his own net. It is not the best defending from the big centre-back, who struck out a stray leg inside the box.
Suddenly Cordoba look full of beans as Bebe drives past two defenders before delivering a low cross towards Fede, but this time Ba is on hand to clear. Down the other end, Kakuta brings a fine save from Carlos after the midfielder had curled one from the edge of the box. End-to-end stuff!
Another half-chance for the away side as Fede drives to the edge of the box before curling one towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Rayo really need the half-time break.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Moreno meets a deep cross from Tito, but the Spaniard cannot make enough contact and Carlos beats the ball away. What an opportunity!
HALF-TIME: Rayo 0-1 Cordoba
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Cordoba leading 1-0. Both sides have had half-chances during an end-to-end half of football, but the only goal came in fairly comical circumstances as Ba turned a low Andone cross into his own net under no pressure whatsoever.
STATS! Rayo have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have had nine attempts, but just one of those was on target. Cordoba, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their six attempts. There has also been two bookings despite a half that did not include many late challenges.
BENCH WATCH! The hope side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Manucho, Javier Aquino and Adri Embarba all in reserve. Cordoba, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Xisco, Fidel and Garcia Borja. Will see see changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Rayo turn this one around in front of their own supporters? The away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Possession football from Rayo in the early stages of the second period. They will have to force the issue as the second half gathers pace, but Cordoba can now sit back and play on the counter-attack.
Kakuta raises the tempo for the home side as he drives past two defenders before delivering a dangerous cross, but Pantic is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Bueno is down the other side moments later, but once again the final ball is cleared. Rayo need more invention in attack to be truthful.
It is all one-way traffic at the moment, with the home side delivering a number of crosses from wide areas, but Carlos has been strong in the air thus far. Still 1-0 Cordoba with 53 minutes played.
BOOKING! Tito (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Edimar.
SUB! Rayo make their first change of the match as Manucho replaces Lica.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, while the away side are slowing the ball down whenever possible, which is frustrating the home players and supporters alike.
BOOKING! Edu (Cordoba) is booked for a late challenge on Moreno.
The resulting set piece is delivered by Trashorras, but Pantic is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Kakuta delivers from the right moments later, but Carlos is out to claim ahead of Manucho.
The home supporters are getting a little inpatient at the moment as Rayo continue to struggle in the final third of the field. They are having plenty of the ball, but clear chances have been at a premium.
Still no movement on the Cordoba bench, but it would not be a surprise to see Djukic freshen his side in the last few minutes. There are some tired legs on display and that will only get worse as Rayo increase the pressure once again. Little over 25 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining in Madrid.
Half-chance for the home side as Manucho collects a clever pass from Moreno just outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Pantic. The pressure continues, however, with Rayo in total control of the ball.
CROSSBAR! It is wonderful work from Moreno as the Rayo attacker finds some space outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but his effort smashes the crossbar. So close!
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance for 2-0! It is all Bebe's own work as the on-loan Benfica attacker cuts inside Tito before facing up to Tono, but he places his effort high of the crossbar.
SUB! Rayo make their second change as Pozuelo replaces Baena.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bueno finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Carlos, who immediately releases Pantic down the right.
BOOKING! Quini (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Pantic.
SUB! Cordoba make their first change as Borja Garcia replaces Abel.
Opportunity for Kakuta this time as the Rayo attacker beats two players on the edge of the box, but his effort curls wide of the post. The pressure is really rising with little over 15 minutes to play.
SUB! Rayo make their third change as Aquino replaces Moreno.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match as Rayo continue to press forward. Cordoba have such a threat on the counter and a second for them cannot be ruled out.
Juan Carlos has been excellent between the sticks for Cordoba and the Spaniard rises high to claim another corner. More frustration for the home side with little over 10 minutes remaining.
CHANCES! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Aquino delivers a super cross towards the far post, but there are no takers. From the resulting corner, Rayo cause concern inside the Cordoba box, but the ball is scrambled clear. How on earth are the home side not level here?
CHANCE! Another chance for Rayo as Manucho spins inside the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but it just misses the post. Cordoba are really hanging on at the moment.
SUB! Cordoba make their second change as Fede Vico replaces Fede.
Pozuelo is next to try his luck for the home side after meeting a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort flies high and wide of the crossbar. It just will not go in for Rayo at the moment.
You have to question whether it is going to happen for the home side as another half-chance comes and goes when Manucho fluffs his lines inside the box. Is there time for Rayo to snatch a point?
SUB! Cordoba make their third and final change as Xisco replaces Andone.
We are into the first of three additional minutes in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief it is the best chance of the lot! Bueno meets an excellent cross from Kakuta, but somehow plants his header over the crossbar from barely five yards. Wow.
It looks as if Rayo are going to lose this, but how is an absolute mystery.
Cordoba have a goal kick as Ba heads wide from a corner and that should be that.
FULL-TIME: Rayo 0-1 Cordoba
Incredible, just incredible. Cordoba survive a second-half battering to record a 1-0 win over Rayo in the Spanish capital. The result has moved the away side out of the drop zone, while Rayo remain in 11th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
