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Match Report: 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano

RCD Espanyol concede late at Vallecas on Matchday 33

RCD Espanyol's midweek game against Rayo Vallecano ended in a 1-0 defeat, as a late Sergio Camello strike denied them a share of the points.

Still struggling for points after a spectacular start to the season, Los Pericos hoped to rediscover the effectiveness they displayed before the turn of the new year -and avoid falling closer to the relegation battle.

The home side were awarded a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area early on, and RCD Espanyol also received a yellow card for Pere Milla in the first minute. It was a warning of what they could expect for the rest of the match. However, the best chance of the entire first half fell to Expósito, with a long-range shot that forced a brilliant save from Cárdenas, the home goalkeeper at Vallecas.

Roberto had an opportunity three minutes later, but his shot was deflected by a defender. The first chance for Rayo Vallecano came near halftime, with a header from Alemao that Dmitrovic saved. In between all this, Isi tried his luck with a series of shots every time he approached the Espanyol penalty area.

The second half started with a slight delay, as the home goalkeeper tried to fix a hole in the top of the net with tape.

When the action got back underway, Rayo had the first chance of the half with a shot from Isi that Dmitrović saved. The Serbian goalkeeper repeated the feat minutes later with a save from a header by Alemao.

Shortly after, in the 72nd minute, the referee awarded a penalty for a handball by Óscar Valentín, but Kike García's spot kick was saved by the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper.

In the dying moments of the match, when a draw seemed inevitable, a lethal counter-attack finished by Camello denied Espanyol any reward from the game, and gave the victory to the home side.