SAN SEBASTIÁN, Spain — In a contest between two teams desperate for a spark in their faltering La Liga campaigns, Rayo Vallecano snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory from Real Sociedad at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, courtesy of a late strike from substitute Pacha, assisted by an incisive run and cross from Andrei Rațiu in the 84th minute.

Both sides entered the Basque evening mired in the lower reaches of the league table, hoping to transform underwhelming early-season form into momentum. Real Sociedad, led by newly installed coach Sergio Francisco Ramos, struggled to find rhythm against a Rayo side buoyed by their midweek European triumph but carrying the weight of a six-match winless run in domestic play.

A Tactical Stalemate Broken Late

For most of the afternoon, the match unfolded with the caution of two teams wary of further setbacks. Real Sociedad lined up in a 4-1-4-1, seeking to assert control through midfielders Brais Méndez and Carlos Soler, while Rayo Vallecano’s 4-2-3-1 relied on the direct play of Isi Palazón and the defensive solidity of Pathé Ismaël Ciss.

Possession proved almost evenly split—Sociedad shading it at 51%—but chances were scarce. The hosts managed nine shots, only two of which troubled Rayo’s Augusto Batalla, who looked assured between the posts. Rayo, for their part, mirrored that tally with seven shots and two on target, but found opportunities at a premium against a Sociedad defense anchored by Igor Zubeldia and Duje Ćaleta-Car.

The first half offered little in the way of attacking fluency, with set pieces providing rare moments of anxiety for the goalkeepers. Sociedad’s seven corners hinted at territorial advantage, but the home attack lacked a cutting edge; Mikel Oyarzabal, isolated at the tip of the formation, was consistently frustrated by vigilant Rayo marking.

Tension Boils Midway Through Second Half

As the second half unfolded, the match grew increasingly physical. Carlos Soler picked up a booking on the hour, followed closely by Rayo’s Isi Palazón moments later, emblematic of a contest more often disrupted by fouls—32 in total—than sustained passages of play.

Coaches on both benches searched for a breakthrough with a flurry of substitutions. Sociedad introduced fresh legs as Soler and Gonçalo Guedes made way, while Rayo rotated their midfield, aiming to inject energy and preserve defensive focus as the clock ticked down.

Pacha Steals the Limelight

The pivotal moment arrived after 84 minutes. Andrei Rațiu, surging forward from right back, broke a rare line in Sociedad’s defense and delivered a precise ball to Pacha. The Rayo substitute finished with composure, slotting home the decisive goal to send the small contingent of visiting supporters into celebration.

Sociedad pressed in the final minutes, desperately launching forward in search of an equalizer. However, Batalla’s assured handling and Rayo’s disciplined back line—marshaled by Florian Lejeune, who received a late booking for his efforts—ensured the visitors preserved their slender lead.

Broader Ramifications

The victory lifts Rayo Vallecano fractionally up the table, offering not only three precious points but also belief that their season can be revived following a difficult September stretch. For Sociedad, the frustrations continue. Despite dominating marginally in possession and territory, their attacking deficiencies remain unaddressed—evidenced by just two shots on target over ninety minutes.

Coach Ramos, still seeking his footing in the post-Imanol Alguacil era, will be left to ponder missed opportunities and mounting pressure as Sociedad linger perilously close to the relegation zone. The Basques’ faithful, having witnessed another toothless home display, will demand answers ahead of a challenging run of fixtures.

In a league where margins are slim and the calendar unforgiving, this narrow victory may prove a turning point for Rayo. For Real Sociedad, however, the path to stability has rarely looked more uncertain.