24 years have passed since Onésimo's goal saved Rayo

It was June 1, 1996. Rayo was playing the permanence in Vallecas, after having fallen against Mallorca (1-0, with a goal from Morales) in the first leg of the promotion. The vermilions landed after 18 games without losing, so there were nerves in the neighborhood, but also faith. The locals stormed out and it didn't take even a quarter of an hour to equalize the tie, thanks to a goal from striker Guilherme. The stands breathed. Outside, yes, to what the meeting still held … Good dose of suffering, intrigue and happy ending. A plot not suitable for heart patients and a classic in those parts.

The referee López Nieto showed Wilfred the red in the 24 ', after the redhead goalkeeper had to take a hand out of the area to stop the ever dangerous Morales. The coach Zambrano, then, had to put Abel Resino under sticks and the locals kept one less to try to subdue a Mallorca that, timidly, was emerging from its lethargy. Although the insulars showed a grayer version of the usual: Maqueda and Morales wasted two clear occasions that they would end up regretting.

The minutes ticked by and the tension was chewing. Until, in the 81st minute, Calderón scanned Onesimo unmarked and drew an accurate pass from midfield who picked up the king of dribbles. The '7' rayista, expert in grow in the vertigo of On big occasions, he let the ball bounce and chiselled a beautiful petroleum jelly from the front. who entered through the goal squad defended by Kike. The third was chewed with a lack of Calderón in the 88 'and Vallecas held his breath, while looking at the clock. His team knew how to suffer for maintain their First status one more season, in a clash where the magic of Onesimus was decisive.