La Liga: Osasuna 1 Rayo Vallecano 0

Osasuna moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Friday.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side went into the clash on the back of a three-game unbeaten streak and they extended that run courtesy of Enrique Sola’s sixth-minute strike.

The 26-year-old striker latched onto an Alvaro Cejudo pass before squeezing the ball into the back of the net.

Rayo had their own chances, especially in the ninth minute but captain Piti was unable to find a way past goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.

Fernandez was in the thick of the action again before the break, denying the visitors an equaliser from Roberto Trashorras’ free-kick.

Try as they might, Rayo could not find that elusive leveller and Sola’s goal – his third of the season – was enough to lift Osasuna two points clear of the drop zone ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

After losing two games in succession against Atletico Madrid and Real Valladolid, Osasuna are now unbeaten in their past four league games, while Rayo have lost two of their past four.