Rayo Vallecano secured their first win of the 2026 -27 season this Saturday with a 3-2 comeback against Racing de Santander at Butarque. Sergio Camello, with a brace, and Andrei Ratiu, who scored after a failed transfer, were the architects of a victory that places the team 12th in La Liga with 4 points.

Beñat San José's side continues to play away from Vallecas while issues with the Community of Madrid are resolved. The fans traveled to Leganés to see their team overcome an early goal from Sergio Canales. Rayo now looks ahead to its next fixture, a tough trip to face Real Madrid on September 12th.

How did Rayo Vallecano complete the comeback?

Racing took the lead in the third minute with an exquisite free-kick strike from Sergio Canales. Rayo's response came in the 16th minute. In a quick transition, Camello received the ball with his back to goal and set up Andrei Ratiu, who fired across the keeper to equalize. The Romanian right-back celebrated with his fingers in his ears, a gesture seen as a protest, while president Raúl Martín Presa watched from the stands.

Racing went ahead again before halftime with a goal from Pablo García, who joined the Cantabrian club in the final hours of the transfer window. But Camello, in a stellar start to the campaign, leveled the score just before the break and turned the game around with his second goal right after the restart. The Spanish striker was the standout offensive performer in a high-tempo match.

What was Andrei Ratiu's role in the win?

Andrei Ratiu not only scored the equalizer but also returned to the starting lineup after his potential move to the Premier League fell through in the summer market. His celebration after the goal was widely noted and demonstrated his commitment to the cause despite the noise of recent days.

His performance was solid on the right flank, contributing both in attack and defense. The Romanian international's continued presence is key for the team's balance, especially with the current absences detailed on our injuries page, which lists Augusto Batalla, Jozhua Vertrouwd, and Luiz Felipe.

How does this result affect the league table?

The three points earned at Butarque provide important breathing room in the standings. Rayo Vallecano now has 4 points from four matchdays, with a record of one win, one draw, and two losses. The team sits in 12th place but has a negative goal difference of -3, having scored 7 and conceded 10.

The gap to the top is significant, as leaders Barcelona are 5 points ahead of Rayo. Every point gained in this early phase is vital to stay away from the danger zone. You can check the full evolution in the La Liga standings.

What other club movements happened this week?

Away from the first team, Rayo Vallecano's women's side in the Segunda RFEF will host Dépor Abanca B this Sunday in their league opener. The match is scheduled for 12:30 pm and marks the official season debut for both squads.

In another area, the affiliate club Rayo Majadahonda, competing in Primera RFEF, experienced a surreal incident. An airline lost all their luggage as the team flew to Ibiza, forcing their match to be delayed from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The club communicated the change via social media to the disbelief of their followers.

The next test for the first team is the clash against second-placed Real Madrid on September 12th at the Santiago Bernabéu.