12 mar 2026

Rayo Vallecano make it count in Samsun

Rayo Vallecano left the Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadyumu with a well-earned 3-1 victory over Samsunspor in the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. The visitors were clinical when it mattered, turning a balanced xG picture into a two-goal cushion to take into the return leg. Sofascore users had plenty to track, from a brace by Alemão to a busy night for both goalkeepers.

First-half swings set the tone

Alemão opened the scoring on 15 minutes, finishing after Isi Palazón’s smart work on the right. Samsunspor hit back quickly when Marius Mouandilmadji guided in Carlo Holse’s cut-back for 1-1 on 21 minutes.

Rayo struck again before the break. Álvaro García arrived at the back post to convert Palazón’s second assist in the 40th minute, restoring the away lead at half-time. It was an efficient first half from the LaLiga side, who turned their big moments into goals.

Possession to Samsunspor, goals to Rayo

Samsunspor controlled the ball for long spells, finishing with 63 percent possession and a 69 percent share after the break. They also led total shots 11 to 8 and matched Rayo 5-5 for shots on target. The numbers suggest a tight game on chances too, with xG at 0.58 for Samsunspor and 0.55 for Rayo Vallecano.

Rayo’s back line and goalkeeper did the rest. Augusto Batalla made 4 saves and collected 3 high claims, while the visitors stacked 24 clearances and 12 interceptions. At the other end, Okan Kocuk had a difficult night, finishing with goals prevented at minus 2.00 on Sofascore’s model.

Alemão’s brace seals it

Any late suspense faded in the 78th minute when Alemão grabbed his second. Óscar Valentín won the duel high up the pitch and slipped the forward in to make it 3-1. It summed up Rayo’s approach: sharp in transition and ruthless in front of goal.

Samsunspor kept pushing, but the final ball lacked bite against a compact Rayo block. Thorsten Fink’s side entered the final third 61 times yet produced just one big chance. Rayo, by contrast, turned both of their big chances into goals.

Standouts by the numbers

Alemão was the difference-maker with 2 goals from 2 shots and a Sofascore Rating 8.0. Álvaro García added a cool finish and posted a Sofascore Rating 7.8. Captain Isi Palazón delivered two assists and created two big chances, earning a Sofascore Rating 6.9. Substitute Óscar Valentín brought energy and an assist in just 14 minutes for a Sofascore Rating 7.1.

For Samsunspor, Mouandilmadji led the line well with a goal and a Sofascore Rating 7.4, while Logi Tómasson supplied three key passes from full-back. Škriniar-level passing volume from Ľubomír Šatka helped build attacks, but the final touch deserted the hosts. Kocuk’s Sofascore Rating 5.7 reflected a tough outing in goal.

What it means

Rayo Vallecano carry a valuable away win into the return leg of this UEFA Conference League Round of 16 tie. Samsunspor showed control and territory, but will need sharper finishing and cleaner defensive moments to flip the script.

Follow the return leg on Sofascore for live momentum charts, player heatmaps, xG and every Sofascore Rating as it updates in real time.