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Madrid, Spain
- jakeritter6
- Feb 18
- 4 min read
Well, it’s been a minute. Since most of us who use the internet have the attention span of every millennial’s favorite animated fish Dory, the fact that the game I’m writing about took place on October 29, 2023, and it’s now February 2025 can best be expressed by the following GIF:
But fear not my loyal readers (hi mom!) for my sabbatical was temporary; as those who know me even moderately well, an indefinite period of silence from me is as likely as pigs flying or an effective bipartisan government in the US. Just like with my previous documented football-focused adventures, watching the world’s game abroad was just a side quest as the true purpose consisted of exploring both Madrid and Barcelona with my wife and our two friends.
As I was planning my soccer-centric excursion, I thought I hit the jackpot for anyone who considers themself a fan of this sport because taking place during our trip was El Clasico. For those who are not familiar, El Clasico is if not the most, one of the most famous rivalries in all of club soccer, is the nickname of the game between Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As I thought I was blessed with a gift from the soccer g-ds, I was merely the victim of their practical joke. The game did take place in one of the cities I visited during my trip (Barcelona); the problem was that I was in Madrid.
Nevertheless, I was undeterred to find a game to watch, preferably taking place in Spain’s top flight (the best league), La Liga. Spoiler, I found it and the surrounding storylines added to my excitement. While Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are two of the best teams in La Liga and cemented their status as must-see attractions when it comes to Madrid-based soccer, there is another team in the same city that plays in the first division. Hidden in the shadows cast by the blinding lights of publicity shining on Real and Atletico, Rayo Vallecano has most certainly earned the respect that comes from playing in one of the best soccer leagues in the world.
For this game, here’s what you need to know:
At the time of the game, Rayo were 5th in the standings with their opponent, Real Sociedad, in 7th place.
The top six teams earn the opportunity to play in European club competitions such as Champions League/Europa League so I definitely picked the right game to go to.
Rayo Vallecano is the epitome of what I love about pro soccer; a team that is deeply intertwined in the community they call home (for literal proof there are apartment buildings whose balconies overlook the stadium, providing occupants with a Wrigerly Field-esq view on gameday.)
With my sense of direction as useful as a broken compass, I sprinted to the stadium to buy a ticket 5 minutes into the game. I settled into a section where my seatmates were a mom and her two young daughters. After slowing my heart rate (a side-effect of being an asthmatic goalkeeper) I was able to take in the sights and sounds of El Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas (Rayo’s stadium) which for a football nut like myself, was intoxicating. Despite only seating 14,000, it felt like 30,000 with the exuberance of the supporter section to my left on full display.
The first half was a physical contest with the referee being surprisingly consistent given how much this position in sports is usually universally beloved by fans and players alike. In the 31st minute, Rayo Vallecano struck first with a goal thanks to #16 (one of their defenders) displaying excellent situational awareness by being in position to intercept the save made by Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper and put it in the back of the net.
Despite a fantastic save by the Rayo keeper to preserve the lead, the 1-0 scoreline would not stay intact as Real Sociedad equalized with a beautiful cross that led to a volley (shooting the ball while it was already in the air) that found its way into the back of the net.
Despite losing the lead, the Rayo Vallecano faithful were still in high spirits, cheering on their team continuously for the entire first half (which is 45 minutes!). As the game resumed, Rayo was able to employ the wise words of Ted Lasso and was able to “be like a goldfish”, forgetting about the equalizer by playing solid defense and preventing any of the long balls being delivered by Real Sociedad attackers from leading to any goal-scoring chances.
I guess I jinxed the home team because soon after, Real Sociedad was awarded a penalty kick due to a handball I only was made aware of as I was writing (everyone around me as well as myself could not figure out why the call was made). Despite their opponents converting from the spot and taking the lead, the Rayo Vallecano fans fought their heartbreak with good vibes as the supporters started a “Rayo” chant immediately after the goal, hoping to rally their club towards an equalizer.
With only 10 minutes left in the game, legendary Colombian international Falcao, a forward who once played for top clubs like Manchester United and Atlético Madrid, was subbed on hoping to provide a spark for the home side. It appeared that the best-case victory worst-case tie that Rayo fans envisioned in the first half was a distant memory as a point-blank save from the Real Sociedad keeper kept their lead intact with the game getting closer to ending.
Again, I spoke too soon because while Falcao wasn’t able to find the back of the net, fellow forward Bebé also entered the match hoping to provide a spark and oh Bebé did he deliver! Thanks to a perfectly placed low shot to the left corner in the second minute of stoppage time, Rayo tied the game and stole a point back from Rayo in their pursuit to compete with Europe’s best teams.
Not bad for my first European soccer match eh?
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