Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Getafe
Cold and damp, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe could feel the chill of a relegation battle as they begin 2026. Rayo enjoyed themselves in the European competition, but had a chance to overtake Girona in 18th place at the start. Getafe have a significant five-point cushion, but there has been little to cheer about over the past two months, and the rising Jose Bordalas has shown their form.
The opening whistle of 2026 in La Liga was not greeted with a quick start by either side, as both warmed up. Most of the crowd’s eyes were diverted by the creative protest of Rayo Vallecano’s ultras, which saw fans whistle and later wear a mask of La Liga President Javier Tebas. ‘I’m here to rob you of your weekend football’, announces our episode’s villain, Rayo fans’ long-standing frustration with Monday and Friday night games.
So it took some time before the home supporters fully engaged with the game in front of them. After 25 minutes, Florian Lejeune’s speculative free kick was beaten by Getafe’s David Soria. Neither side was able to do more than guesswork in their forward attacks, an all-too-familiar mistake with Inigo Perez crouching, and Jose Bordalas on the touchline, hidden by a cowhide jacket.
No group of players could have expected a satisfying meeting with their coach at half-time, but Unai Lopez’s curled ball went towards the goal and found Jorge de Frutos with a yard of space in stoppage time. Deciding to volley his first volley back across the box from a tight angle, Soria appeared stunned that the second shot hit the target, and was unable to keep it. In the part where neither side gave much, the Getafe support could be guilty of Soria being overly generous.
Given their struggles in front of goal, what could have been an uphill climb to break down Rayo’s defense felt like a difficult gradient for Los Azulones. Bordalas made a plan to go forward and play into Rayo’s half in response, something the home side accepted in exchange for more space on the break, and a chance to kill the game.
It’s not that Getafe lacked chances, but they lacked rhythm and space. Rayo, who have Fran Perez and Pacha Espino in de Frutos and Sergio Camello, failed to find space behind them, but were comfortable with the situation, pulled off the attack with the second pass, and received applause for the release of the field.
If there is one bright light in this Getafe side though, it is Luis Milla. The gifted midfielder trails only Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal in assists this season, and a well-placed free-kick from deep found Mauro Arambarri, in perhaps their true chance of the game, to slot the ball into the top corner. Milla is behind only Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal (8), after the 7th assist of the season.
Those accounted for 50% of Getafe’s goals this season, but it was a game that ensured there would be no dramatic improvement over the year for either side. Both executed their game plans knowing that the other team couldn’t be beaten, and faced the premise that one good punch could decide the fight. After taking the lead, Inigo Perez will feel very bitter about the lost points, knowing that his team completely destroyed Getafe in open play.
Getafe celebrated their point in a huddle, and Bordalas’ side avoided the defeat that would have made their efforts futile, given the lack of quality on display. Even the point was difficult to wear flattering clothes, but character is something Getafe desperately need to hold on to, and Arambarri’s equalizer will float them until next week.
