Granada: Karnezis; Nyom (Ighalo 74’), Ilori, Murillo, Brayan Angulo; Iturra, Recio, Fran Rico (Riki 54’); Piti, El-Arabi, Brahimi. 4-3-3.
Rayo: Rubén; Arbilla, Zé Castro, Gálvez (Raúl Baena 67’), Nacho; Saúl Ñíguez, Trashorras; Rochina (Adrián González 75’), Alberto Bueno (Seba Fernández 64’), Iago Falqué; Larrivey. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 54. Saúl Ñíguez. Picked up ball outside area and fired shot wide of Karnezis.
0-2. 59. Larrivey. Picked up Bueno pass and struck angled shot across keeper.
0-3. 86. Seba Fernández. Got free of marker to head Larrivey cross past Karnezis.
Yellow cards: Nacho 14’, Recio 36’, Zé Castro 37’, Gálvez 40’, Brahimi 40’, 50’, Rochina 62’, El-Arabi 82’ / red cards: Brahimi 50’.
Rayo Vallecano are sure of another season in the top flight after they won 0-3 at Granada in the first match on Saturday, the defeat leaving the Andalusians back in the struggle to avoid relegation. Lucas Acaráz’s side had the better chances at first though, Piti and Fran Rico going close before the break, and Brahimi hitting the bar soon after the restart. A couple of minutes later however the ex Rennes midfielder got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, and soon afterwards Saúl put the visitors in front with a shot on the turn after a good team move which included 25 passes. If that was good though, just five minutes later they went one better, all ten outfield players involved in a 30 pass move which ended with Larrivey beating Karnezis for a second time. Larrivey and Falqué could have added to the lead after that, and with five minutes to go substitute Seba Fernández got on the end of Larrivey’s cross to head the third past the Greek international keeper.