Rayo Vallecano 2 - Villarreal 2

Rayo: Etxeberria; Mario, Corino, Mainz, Graff; Julio Alvarez (Mora 86'), Azkoitia, Onopko, Peragón (Marqués 84'); Bolo, Bolic (Michel II 68'). 4-4-2.
Villarreal: López Vallejo; Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Unai, Arruabarrena; Belletti, Marcos Senna, Jorge López, Rubén Reyes (Guayre 58'); Víctor (Calleja 78'), Palermo. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Rayo: Azkoitia, Bolo for Pablo Sanz, Dorado / Villarreal: López Vallejo, Rubén Reyes, Palermo for Reina, Quique Medina, Guayre.

Goals:
0-1. 20. Belletti. Turned ball past keeper after Palermo headed back long throw.
0-2. 21. Senna. Shot from outside area which took an awkward bounce.
1-2. 41. Bolo. Placed header wide of keeper from long Julio Alvarez cross.
2-2. 57. Julio Alvarez (penalty). After Unai tripped Azkoitia on edge of area.

Rayo Vallecano held on to their six month unbeaten home record after coming back from two goals down against Villarreal. Benito Floro's side scored twice in a minute midway through the first half, the first from Belletti after Palermo headed back a long throw, and the second a long shot from Marcos Senna which Etxeberría misjudged because of an irregular bounce.

After that though Villarreal sat back, and Rayo got back in the game when Julio Alvarez found Bolo's head with a long cross. Then in the second half Unai tripped up Azkoitia in the area, and Julio Alvarez slotted home the spot kick. It was the under 21 international's fourth penalty of the season and his sixth in the league, taking him to the top of the Pichichi chart.

Floro brought on Guayre after the equaliser, and his side should have gone back in front had Palermo not missed the easiest chance of the match. Etxeberría made saves late on from Jorge López and Palermo, and the league's youngest player Marqués came on for another brief appearance at the end. The crowd weren't too interested by then though; they were having more fun celebrating the news of the goals of the husband of their new signing Milene at the Bernabeu stadium.