Rayo Vallecano 1 - Alavés 2

Rayo: Imanol; Alcázar, Corino, Hernández (Bolo 57'), Graff (Granov 80'); Roy, Quevedo; Peragón (Glaucio 60'), Michel, Arteaga; Bolic. 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: López Vallejo; Galván, Unai, Quique Alvarez, Arruabarrena; Jorge López (Guayre 85'), Galca, Amor, Calleja (Quique Martín 70'); Víctor, Craioveanu (Palermo 75'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 18. Jorge López. Shot through crowded goalmouth after Craioveanu laid back.
1-1. 38. Craioveanu. After Víctor intercepted bad back pass and squared across.
1-2. 42. Arteaga. Beat Galván wide on left and slid ball under keeper.

A depleted Rayo Vallecano side were beaten at home by high flying Villarreal, who took their revenge for the 1-5 thrashing in the reverse opening game on the first day of last season. Rayo were missing eight players through injury and gave a game to seven new signings, with an eighth Granov (who manager Goiko said he was going to let go) coming on near the end. With Palermo not fully fit, Craioveanu started in his place for the visitors, and he made a goal for Jorge López (Rayo's churned up pitch creating a bad bounce) and then scored another himself in the first half. Arteaga pulled one back near half time for Rayo on his debut.