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Rayo Vallecano beat Villarreal away from home for the first time since the year 2000.
Sergio Carmello's strike in the second-half was the only goal in a thoroughly entertaining game that saw Villarreal lose 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano.
Villarreal hosted a club they have not lost at home to since the turn of the millennium and were looking to continue the record. However, the home-field advantage of La Ceramica would not prevent a Villarreal defeat to Rayo Vallecano for the first time since September 2000.
The first-half of the game was scoreless, but not for lack of trying. Both teams created good chances, but neither found the back of the net. The second half was more of the same until a 70th-minute strike from Sergio Carmello put Rayo ahead.
The result takes Rayo Vallecano up to 7th on the log, only two points behind Villarreal in 5th.
Chukwueze’s best efforts not enough for Villarreal
The Nigerian winger had a good game by any standard, but it was not enough to help his team win.
He was a constant threat on the right-wing, which he occupied as the right-winger in a 4-3-3.
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The Nigeria international won five of seven duels attempted while completing all three long passes he attempted.
Chukwueze was also involved in the two big chances Villarreal managed to create, with Gerard Moreno squandering both.
Rayo’s historic victory
Oscar Trejo’s through-ball for Sergio Carmello into the left-hand channel, which he took in stride and calmly finished past the out-rushing Filip Jorgensen in goal for Villarreal, helped Rayo Vallecano to their eighth league win of the season.
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Before the goal and the win, Villarreal last lost at home to Rayo Vallecano in September 2002. Both teams have faced off nine times at La Ceramica since then, with Rayo never managing a victory.
Villarreal won seven of those games and drew two.
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