Rayo: Juan Carlos; Tito, Diego Llorente, Amaya (Bebé 46‘), Nacho; Raúl Baena, Trashorras; Embarba (Lass 61’), Jozabed (Manucho 46‘), Pablo Hernández; Javi Guerra. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Lekue (Bóveda 79‘), Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe (Elustondo 75‘), Beñat; De Marcos, Raúl García, Iñaki Williams (San José 68’); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 01. Aduríz. Ran on to long clearance and rounded Juan Carlos to score.
0-2. 24. Aduríz (penalty). After Raúl Baena pulled down Raúl García in area.
0-3. 60. Aduríz. Far post header after Laporte headed over Beñat free kick.
Yellow cards: Raúl Baena 17’, Trashorras 26’, Nacho 59’, Tito 92’ / red cards: Laporte 64’.
Athletic Bilbao are now just a point below the top six after they won 0-3 at Rayo Vallecano, on Sunday evening. With less than a minute on the clock top scorer Aduríz ran on to a long clearance from Raúl García, and with a kamikaze Juan Carlos charging out of his area, the striker took the ball past him and ran it into the net. Midway through the first half Aduríz made it two from the penalty spot after Raúl García was pulled down in the area by Raúl Baena, and Raúl García himself brought a couple of saves out of the local keeper before the break, and then hit the post soon after. Trashorras went close with a couple of long range efforts in reply, but with an hour gone Aduríz completed his hat-trick with a header from close up after Laporte headed across a Beñat free kick. Laporte got himself sent off for bringing down Manucho as he advanced on goal a few minutes later, but although Rayo threw everything forward after that, the game was already lost.