Match Report: Wolves 0-1 Rayo Vallecano – Key Highlights and Analysis
Wolves 0-1 Rayo Vallecano: Match Report and Key Moments
Match Report: Wolves 0-1 Rayo Vallecano – Key Highlights and Analysis Wolves wrapped up their pre-season campaign at Molineux with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.
With their Premier League opener at the Emirates just a week away, Wolves were back on home turf but couldn’t recover from Isi Palazon’s stunning first-half goal for Vallecano.
Early in the match, Rodrigo Gomes provided a spark for Wolves, setting up Hee Chan Hwang with a through ball that was saved by Rayo Vallecano’s Dani Cardenas. Gomes soon created another opportunity, but his pass to Jorgen Strand Larsen was intercepted, and Vallecano survived the threat.
Vallecano capitalized on their reprieve when Palazon, finding space between Wolves’ midfield and defense, unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from 25 yards out that beat goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Pablo Sarabia, who scored twice against RB Leipzig recently, had a deflected shot go wide and then created another chance from a corner. Despite Toti having two attempts, neither could beat Cardenas.
Half-time: Wolves 0-1 Rayo Vallecano
The second half lacked the intensity of the first, with Wolves struggling to convert a series of set-piece opportunities. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s deflected shot was easily gathered by Cardenas as Wolves tried to raise their game.
Gary O’Neil used a number of substitutes in the second half, but the game’s rhythm remained disrupted. Hwang had a long-range effort sail over the bar, and substitute Chiquinho was unable to challenge Cardenas effectively. Goncalo Guedes missed a chance to equalize when he rounded Cardenas but couldn’t finish.
The best opportunity for Wolves came in the final minutes when Chiquinho’s cross found both Hwang and Rodrigo Gomes. Hwang, unmarked at the back post, headed straight at the goalkeeper.
At the other end, Sa was called into action to make two late saves, but Wolves couldn’t find the equalizer. The focus now shifts to their upcoming match at the Emirates.
Full-time: Wolves 0-1 Rayo Vallecano
Wolves Starting XI: Sa; Doherty (Lima 68), Mosquera, Toti, Ait-Nouri (Semedo 85); Lemina (Doyle 64), J. Gomes (Chiquinho 77), Sarabia (Bellegarde 64); R. Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen (Guedes 64).
Unused Substitutes: King, Bueno, Dawson.
Rayo Vallecano Starting XI: Cardenas; Ratiu, Chavarrita, Ciss, Palazon (Eto’o 83); Trejo (Frutos 63), Nteka (Gumbau 83), Mumin; Lopez (Balliu 68), Lejeune, Embarba.
Unused Substitutes: Morro, Hernandez, Diaz, Sias, Fernandez.
