Rayo Vallecano 1 - Athletic Bilbao 1

Rayo: Segura; Mario, De Quintana, Quevedo, Graff; Azkoitia, Helder; Julio Alvarez (Luis Cembranos 46'), Peragón, Michel (Camuñas 65'); Bolo (Bolic 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Aranzubia; Javi González, Karanka, Aitor Ocio, Del Horno; Gurpegui, Alkiza; Tiko (Felipe 85'), Ezquerro, Yeste (Arriaga 65'); Urzaiz. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Rayo: Helder, Bolo for Iriney, Luis Cembranos / Athletic: Aitor Ocio, Yeste for Luis Prieto, Arriaga.

Goals:
1-0. 77. Urzaiz. Cut in from left wing and forced ball in off defender.
1-1. 84. Bolic. Headed into roof of net from lofted Luis Cembranos cross.

Rayo Vallecano kept their hopes of survival alive after they came from behind to draw 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao, although they are still three points adrift of the rest at the bottom of the table. The result was not enough to save manager Gustavo Benítez though, and the day after the game he became the second manager to be fired by the club this season. B team manager Antonio Iriondo will take over until the end of June at least.

The game itself was not the most inspiring, with few chances throughout. Bolo and Julio Alvarez were unable to beat Aranzubia in the first half, and at the other end Segura saved well from Ezquerro in Bilbao's only real attempt at goal. Ezquerro did manage to get the ball in the net after a long free kick was blocked by the Rayo keeper, but referee Puentes Leira ruled it out. A few minutes later though Urzaiz did score when his shot from left of goal deflected off a defender, the striker's first goal in thirteen games. However six minutes from the end substitute Bolic rose to head a Luis Cembranos cross into the net to save the draw.