Draw with Rayo blunts Valencia's push

Rayo Vallecano is mathematically certain to remain in La Liga for another season after a richly deserved 1-1 draw here against Valencia, which lost ground in its struggle to overtake Atletico Madrid for third place and a guaranteed berth in the Champions League.

With fears of relegation dispelled, the Madrid side played its accustomed offensive-minded style and dominated possession during the opening minutes, reports Efe.

Valencia, determined to keep pace with Atletico and Sevilla, who both won earlier this week, fought back in hopes of getting an early goal but Alvaro Negredo squandered a golden opportunity to give Valencia the lead.

The visitors got another chance at the 25-minute mark, only for Rodrigo to forgo the shot in favour of an errant pass that spurred a Rayo counterattack.

The rush culminated in a long-range shot from Adrian Embarba that Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves should have been able to handle with ease. Instead, the keeper - possibly blinded by the sun - knocked the ball into his own net.

The fans in Vallecas erupted with joy as their side took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute and went on to control the rest of the first half against a stunned Valencia.

While Valencia played better in the second half, the decisive moment came only in the 62nd minute when Rayo's Jorge Morcillo took down Andre Gomes in the area and was ejected on a straight red card.

Dani Parejo equalised for Valencia four minutes later on a free-kick from the edge of the area. The goal energised both teams and the match came alive in the final 24 minutes, though the higher intensity was also reflected in more fouls.

Valencia, needing the three points to stay within striking distance of Atletico, pulled out all the stops which in turn created more openings for 10-man Rayo to steal a win.

Alves redeemed his earlier blunder by making a great stop against Kakuta before the visitors lost their man advantage in the 77th minute with Rodrigo Moreno's expulsion for tripping the Rayo keeper.

The outcome leaves Valencia at 69 points, the same as Sevilla, but one place ahead in the standings based on head-to-head. Atletico sits third with 75 points with four matches to play.