Rayo Vallecano beat Espanyol 2-1 at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Tuesday evening, claiming all three points in La Liga's sixth round of the regular season. The hosts led 2-0 at the break before Espanyol pulled one back in the second half.
Álvaro García put Rayo Vallecano ahead as early as the third minute, giving the home side an early advantage. Adrià Pedrosa added a second in the 26th minute to send the teams in at half-time with a two-goal cushion in favour of the hosts.
Roberto Fernández reduced the deficit for Espanyol on 54 minutes, setting up a tense final stage of the contest. Rayo Vallecano held on to protect their lead through to the final whistle. Espanyol were further frustrated deep into stoppage time when O. El Hilali was shown a red card in the 90th-plus eighth minute.
In the La Liga table after this result, Rayo Vallecano sit 12th with seven points from six matches, having recorded two wins, one draw and three defeats, with a goal record of 10 scored and 15 conceded. Espanyol are placed eighth, also on seven points from six games — two wins, one draw and three losses — with nine goals scored and seven conceded. The two sides are level on points, with both Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol mid-table in the 20-team division.