Rayo Vallecano secured a 2-1 victory over Espanyol in Leganés. The team remains undefeated during its stadium exile. The return to Vallecas is now set after the regional government lifted the suspension.
Rayo Vallecano wrapped up its stint at Butarque with a 2-1 win over Espanyol, finishing this stretch unbeaten and finally clearing the way for a return to Vallecas. The regional government has lifted the suspension on the Vallecas stadium, so Rayo will play at home again on October 10. This ends several weeks of uncertainty for both the team and its supporters. According to El Correo and other sources, a new audit found the stadium "operational and suitable for regular use," though the administrative case against the club is still open.
The atmosphere in Butarque was subdued. Only a few Rayo fans made the trip, and the empty stands stood in sharp contrast to the energy on the field. Rayo wasted no time: Álvaro García scored in the second minute after Espanyol's early mistake. By the 25th minute, Adrià Pedrosa added a second, taking advantage of Espanyol's slow start and putting Rayo in control.
Before returning to Vallecas, Rayo played its home matches at Butarque, the stadium of Leganés, including games against Alavés, Racing, and Espanyol.
Espanyol, led by Manolo González, rotated three players to keep the squad fresh, but the changes had little effect in the first half. After halftime, Espanyol finally responded, with Roberto Fernández scoring in the 53rd minute to cut the deficit. The visitors pushed hard, but Rayo's defense, with Mujaid Sadick making his first start at center-back, held up under pressure. Fanzium and BBC Sport both confirmed that the 2-1 result kept Rayo unbeaten during this period away from home.
The match saw its share of cards. Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos booked Unai López, Marcos Fernández, Heorhii Tsitaishvili, Pathé Ciss, Gnangoro, and Alemão, and sent off Omar in stoppage time. The tension on the pitch was a sharp contrast to the quiet stands. Rayo's exile began after a July inspection found serious safety and documentation issues at Vallecas, as reported by Telecinco and Infobae, which led to the stadium's suspension.
Rayo leaves Leganés with two wins and a draw, showing the squad's ability to get results in unfamiliar surroundings. Playing in nearly empty stadiums, the team managed to stay focused and deliver, similar to other recent dramatic finishes in Spanish football, as seen in this earlier match.
The club publicly demanded the immediate lifting of restrictions and the right to play at Vallecas, issuing an official statement on September 12. Meanwhile, the Spanish sports council (CSD) rejected Rayo's appeal, stating the matter was outside its jurisdiction, which left the club dependent on the regional authorities' decision.
With the return to Vallecas confirmed, Rayo can finally turn its attention back to football. The club managed the stadium crisis—dealing with forced moves, keeping form, and staying disciplined—better than many would have expected. The empty seats in Butarque were a reminder of what was lost, but the points matter most. Rayo's ability to adapt and win in tough circumstances sets them up for a challenging homecoming, where expectations will be high.
