Rayo Vallecano (0) 2 - Lokomotiv Moscow (0) 0

Rayo: Keller; Alcázar, De Quintana, Ballesteros, Mingo; Helder (Mauro 46'), Poschner, Quevedo (Setvalls 87'), Michel; Bolo, Bolic (Pablo Sanz 75'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 65. Bolic. Shot inside area after short pass from Michel.
2-0. 67. Alcázar. Volley close up after centre by Bolic from left.

To paraphrase an old expression about American tourists trying to do Europe in a week, if Keller's in goal, then today must be Thursday. The US keeper has only been playing in European cup games, with Lopetegui holding down the number one spot in the league, but the way Rayo are going at the moment, he may almost get as many games. The Madrid based team kept up their incredible run in their first ever appearance in European competition with another good victory, this time over the Russian cupwinners Lokomotiv Moscow. Having drawn 0-0 in freezing conditions in Eastern Europe, the rain in Vallecas was almost a relief, although it meant that playing conditions were difficult. It also meant that the gate was down to 7,000, only half of the normal turnout, and with nobody interested in televising their games, the competition is not turning out to be quite as lucrative as expected.

Lokomotiv were not there to take prisoners, and in the first fifteen minutes Bolo was on the receiving end of a couple of hard tackles. Rayo were creating chances but were not capitalising on them, with Michel and the two strikers shooting wide, and Boulykine almost gave the visitors the lead with a shot against the post on the half hour mark. At half time Juande Ramos replaced Helder with Mauro, and he almost opened the scoring minutes later. Then Michel worked his way through the Russian defence to leave the ball at Bolic's feet, and the Bosnian confirmed his recent great form giving Nigmatouline no chance.

Three minutes later it was two as Alcázar converted Bolic's cross, and just as Lokomotiv were lining up for the kick off the floodlights went out. There was a 25 minute wait for the electrician (not bad for Spain - I've had to wait two days), and the game went on. At the end of the game Poschner collapsed, and it was later revealed that he had broken his cheekbone and will be out for some time. That was the downside, but with a two month gap before their next match, he could be fit again. Their lady president Teresa Rivero is now waiting for Wednesday's draw, hoping not to be paired against Liverpool. She vowed that the team would stay in the competition until they meet the English side. So far she has kept her promise.