Arambarri's Late Header Salvages Point in Madrid Derby
Key Takeaways
- • Getafe snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with Mauro Arambarri's 90th-minute header at Vallecas
- • Jorge de Frutos gave Rayo the lead with a clinical finish on the stroke of halftime
- • Rayo dominated possession at 59.9% but couldn't hold their slender advantage
- • The referee brandished seven cards in a feisty Madrid derby encounter
MADRID, SPAIN — The Estadio de Vallecas erupted in frustration as Mauro Arambarri's towering header in the 90th minute denied Rayo Vallecano what seemed a certain victory, salvaging a 1-1 draw for 10th-placed Getafe against their 13th-placed Madrid rivals. The cramped, atmospheric stadium had been bouncing since Jorge de Frutos' first-half strike, only for Arambarri to silence the home faithful with virtually the last touch of a pulsating derby.
Rayo Vallecano controlled 59.9% of possession, pinning Getafe back for long stretches, but the visitors struck the final, decisive blow. The opening goal arrived in first-half stoppage time when Unai López threaded a perfectly weighted pass down the right channel. De Frutos, timing his run to perfection, collected the ball inside the box and drilled a right-footed shot past David Soria into the bottom right corner. The winger's celebration was wild, sprinting toward the corner flag as Vallecas shook with delight.
For 45 minutes in the second half, Rayo protected their advantage with determination. Augusto Batalla made three crucial saves to keep Getafe at bay, while Florian Lejeune marshaled the defense with authority. But as the clock ticked into the 90th minute, Luis Milla delivered a dangerous cross from a set piece. Arambarri, rising highest in the center of the box, powered his header into the top right corner, leaving Batalla helpless and the home crowd stunned into silence.
The tactical battle was fierce throughout, with Rayo's possession dominance contrasting sharply with Getafe's counter-attacking threat. Unai López and Isi Palazón controlled the tempo in midfield for the hosts, while Mauro Arambarri and Javi Muñoz worked tirelessly to disrupt Rayo's rhythm. Both sides managed 13 and 12 shots respectively, with four efforts on target apiece, though clinical finishing proved elusive until those two crucial moments. The referee brandished seven cards in a feisty affair: Unai López, Andrei Ratiu, and Fran Pérez were cautioned for Rayo, while Domingos Duarte, Juan Iglesias, David Soria, and Mauro Arambarri went into the book for Getafe.
The turning point arrived in those frantic final moments when Rayo, perhaps sensing victory, dropped deeper to protect their lead. Getafe sensed vulnerability and pushed forward with renewed urgency. Arambarri's positioning at the back post proved perfect, and his header was unstoppable. Andrei Ratiu picked up a yellow card in the 90th minute as tensions boiled over.
Rayo Vallecano will travel to face Mallorca on January 11, seeking to bounce back from this late heartbreak.