Cedric Bakambu scores brace in Villarreal win

Villarreal came from one goal behind at El Madrigal to record a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday.

It was Cedric Bakambu that proved the hero for the hosts, with the striker scoring twice in the final 20 minutes, including a winner in the 86th minute.

Villarreal came close to making the breakthrough in the fourth minute when Jonathan dos Santos found space inside the box, but his effort was kept out by Yoel Rodriguez, who claimed before releasing down-field.

It was the Yellow Submarine that again came close in the 17th minute, but Bruno's header missed the target, before Dos Santos had a goal-bound effort blocked during a period where the home side were in control.

Rayo improved as the first period developed, however, and took the lead five minutes before the interval when Jozabed Sanchez arrowed a first-time effort into the top corner to shock the home supporters.

It took Villarreal until the 68th minute to carve out a golden chance to level, but Roberto Soldado somehow missed the target with a header after meeting a searching cross into the Rayo box.

Soldado made up for the miss less than two minutes later, however, as the experienced Spaniard set up Bakambu for the equaliser, with the 24-year-old converting from close range, before Bakambu added his second late on after super work from Denis Suarez.

Villarreal, who entered the match without a win in their last three in the league, have moved into fifth in the La Liga table, while Rayo remain down in 15th spot.