Rayo Vallecano grinded out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Elche, overcoming a deficit in possession and shots to claim all three points. The home side's advantage in expected goals (1.35 vs 0.44) proved decisive, as Radamel Nteka's 74th-minute strike secured the win.

Elche's tactical approach backfired spectacularly, as defender Pedro Bigas was sent off in the 39th minute after picking up two yellow cards. This numerical disadvantage allowed Rayo to dominate possession (60% vs 40%) and create more clear-cut chances, with 11 shots inside the box compared to Elche's 6. The visitors' 73% passing accuracy also highlighted their struggle to retain the ball and build meaningful attacks.

Rayo's victory can be attributed to their effective use of the wings. The home side attempted 10 shots from outside the box, exploiting the space left by Elche's narrow defensive setup. Nteka's goal, assisted by Antonio Garcia, showcased Rayo's ability to transition quickly and find the right pass in the final third.

Elche, on the other hand, were let down by their lack of discipline. Bigas' sending-off was a significant tactical blunder, robbing the visitors of their defensive structure and leaving them vulnerable to Rayo's counter-attacking threat. The away side's inability to create clear-cut chances (just 4 shots on target) ultimately cost them the opportunity to secure a positive result.