Rayo Vallecano earned a valuable 1-0 away win at Neman Grodno in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff on August 22, 2025. The La Liga side navigated a tricky away fixture in Belarus to return to Madrid with a narrow lead. The match was a tight, physical affair with few clear chances for either side. The decisive moment came just after the hour mark, when a Rayo attacker latched onto a through ball and finished coolly past the onrushing goalkeeper. Neman Grodno pressed for an equalizer in the latter stages, but the Spanish defense, marshaled by their experienced captain, held firm to preserve the clean sheet. The single-goal advantage gives Rayo Vallecano a slight edge, but they will be aware that the tie is far from over ahead of the return leg at Vallecas. The Rayo manager highlighted the importance of the away win, while the Neman coach vowed his team would fight until the end.