Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Celta Vigo Player Ratings: Jorge de Frutos 8.5/10 Rated as Vallecano and Vigo Game Ended In A Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw

La Liga encounter at the Estadio de Vallecas saw Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo share the spoils in a dramatic 1-1 draw. From our perspective, this was a classic game of two halves. The first period was a cagey affair, full of tactical chess but lacking any real cutting edge, ending goalless.

The match exploded into life after the break. Celta Vigo broke the deadlock first. Borja Iglesias found the net with a clinical finish in the 53rd minute, and for a moment, it felt like the visitors would run away with it. They looked more confident and composed.

However, Rayo Vallecano showed immense character to fight their way back into this match. The equalizer came just 12 minutes later, a moment of brilliance from Jorge de Frutos. He was a livewire all game and deserved his goal. The final whistle blew on a result that, in the end, was probably a fair reflection of the contest. Here are the Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo player ratings.

Celta Vigo Player Ratings vs Rayo Vallecano

Here are the Celta Vigo player ratings vs Rayo Vallecano.

Goalkeeper

Ionuț Radu - 7.5: A very strong showing from the Celta keeper. He made four crucial saves, including a couple of fantastic stops inside the box that kept his team in the game. What stood out to us was his command of the area. He was decisive and confident, a calming presence behind a sometimes-scrambled defense. Couldn't do much about the goal he conceded.

Defenders

Manu Fernández - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular day for Fernández. He was busy, racking up five clearances and a couple of recoveries. He held his position well for the most part. However, he was part of a backline that ultimately couldn't keep a clean sheet. Did his job without any major fireworks or glaring errors.

Mihailo Ristic - 6.5: Ristic was a dependable figure on the left. He made five clearances and was generally positionally sound before being forced off with an injury. We noticed he was disciplined, not diving into tackles unnecessarily. It was a shame to see his evening cut short as he was contributing well to the defensive effort.

Yoel Lago - 6.0: A really mixed performance from Lago. On one hand, he made a whopping eight clearances which is impressive. But on the other, a critical error that led to a shot is a huge black mark against his name. From our perspective, that one lapse in concentration really dragged his rating down. He showed potential but needs to cut out the mistakes.

Midfielders

Sergio Carreira - 6.0: Carreira had a very quiet game. He worked hard and his passing was tidy, but he struggled to impose himself on the match. With only one chance created, you expected more from him in an attacking sense. He just seemed to drift through the game without making a significant impact on either end.

Fran Beltrán - 7.0: A proper captain's display. Beltrán was the glue in the midfield, maintaining an excellent 93% pass accuracy and making four interceptions. He was constantly showing for the ball, dictating the tempo and breaking up Rayo's play. A disciplined and intelligent performance that set the tone for his team.

Javi Rueda - 8.0: What a performance from Rueda in his 60 minutes. He was Celta's most creative player by a mile, providing the assist for the goal. He also created another huge chance and was a constant threat. We were personally surprised when he was substituted; he was a real difference-maker and his energy was infectious.

Hugo Sotelo - 6.5: Sotelo was tidy and efficient in the middle of the park. His distribution, especially his long passing, was a real asset. He recovered the ball well and kept things simple and effective. A solid, if not headline-grabbing, contribution to the team's effort before he was substituted.

Forwards

Borja Iglesias - 7.5: The goalscorer. Iglesias did exactly what he's paid to do, taking his chance with a great finish to put Celta ahead. He was a handful for the Rayo defenders throughout, winning duels and bringing others into play. He missed a big chance, but his goal was the decisive contribution for his side.

Bryan Zaragoza - 6.5: A lively and energetic performance from Zaragoza. He registered two shots on target and was always looking to run at his man. He caused problems but lacked that final bit of quality to make a decisive impact. You could see his frustration at times, but the effort was certainly there.

Hugo Álvarez - 6.0: Álvarez worked his socks off for the team in his hour on the pitch. He was involved in plenty of duels and showed some nice touches. However, he struggled to provide a consistent final product in the attacking third. A willing runner but not much more on this occasion.

Manager

C. Giráldez González - 6.5: His game plan almost worked to perfection. The team was organized and took the lead with a well-worked goal. However, they couldn't hold onto the advantage. The decision to substitute Javi Rueda, who was playing so well, felt a bit strange from our perspective and perhaps cost them some creative spark.

Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings vs Celta Vigo

Here are the Rayo Vallecano player ratings vs Celta Vigo.

Goalkeeper

Augusto Batalla - 7.5: Batalla was excellent between the sticks. He made four saves, including a brilliant one to deny Bryan Zaragoza. He was commanding on crosses and his distribution was solid. He can't be faulted for the goal and his performance was key to securing a point for his team. A very reliable display.

Defenders

Andrei Rațiu - 7.0: A really solid and professional performance from Rațiu. He was defensively sound, winning his duels and recovering the ball eight times. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping build from the back. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward, but he did his primary job very well indeed.

Pathé Ciss - 7.0: Playing in defense, Ciss was phenomenal on the ball, boasting a 96% pass accuracy. He was a ball-winning machine, with 13 recoveries to his name. He read the game superbly, stepping in to intercept play and starting attacks. A very composed and intelligent performance that stood out.

Alfonso Espino - 5.5: It was a day to forget for Espino. He was dribbled past three times and lost possession an alarming 21 times. From our viewpoint, he really struggled with the pace and movement of Celta's attackers. He looked off the pace and was a clear weak link before being hooked at the 60-minute mark.

Florian Lejeune - 7.5: An absolute rock at the back. Lejeune was a defensive collosus, making 11 clearances and blocking two shots. He was a leader, organizing the backline and throwing himself in front of everything. He was even a threat at the other end with three shots. A fantastic, all-action display.

Midfielders

Pedro Díaz - 6.5: A quiet but effective game from Díaz. He kept possession moving with neat and tidy passing but didn't provide much of a creative spark. He had a couple of shots from distance but never really threatened the goal. A functional performance, but we expected a little more influence from him.

Álvaro García - 8.0: García was a constant menace down the wing. His persistence paid off with a crucial assist for the equalizer. He whipped in eight crosses and was always looking to be positive and direct. He was one of Rayo's main attacking outlets and delivered when it mattered most.

Jorge de Frutos - 8.5: The clear man of the match. Jorge de Frutos was the best player on the pitch. He scored the vital equalizing goal with a great finish and was a thorn in Celta's side all game. He was dynamic, creative, and clinical. An outstanding performance that earned his team a valuable point.

Óscar Valentín - 7.0: The captain led by example with a battling display. He was tenacious in the tackle, winning five of them, and did the dirty work in midfield effectively. He broke up play and protected his defense with grit and determination. It wasn't always pretty, but it was mightily effective.

Forwards

Isi Palazón - 6.0: It just wasn't Palazón's day. He seemed a yard off the pace, losing possession frequently and picking up a booking. He tried to make things happen but his touch and decision-making let him down. A frustrating outing for a player who we know has so much quality.

Sergio Camello - 7.0: Camello looked very sharp during his time on the pitch. He was incredibly creative, setting up three chances for his teammates and was desperately unlucky to hit the woodwork himself. His movement was intelligent and he linked up play well. A very promising performance before his substitution.

Manager

I. Pérez Soto - 7.0: Credit to the gaffer for inspiring the comeback. His team showed great spirit to fight back after going a goal down. The tactical setup was solid, and they created enough chances to feel they could have even won it. His substitutions helped maintain the team's energy and push for the equalizer.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Jorge de Frutos