RCD Espanyol de Barcelona secured a vital 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano de Madrid in La Liga, with a solitary first-half goal from their star striker. The winning strike came from the experienced Raul de Tomás, who slotted home a precise finish in the 38th minute to send the home crowd into delirium. The win boosts Espanyol's bid for La Liga safety, moving them closer to escaping the relegation zone.