Madrid, April 10 -- Rayo Vallecano took a significant step toward its first European semifinal with a 3-0 win over AEK Athens at the Vallecas Stadium.
Playing in European competition for just the second time in its history, Rayo struck early, going ahead in the second minute when Alvaro Rodriguez surged down the left and crossed for Ilias Akhomach to score on Thursday.
Florian Lejeune thought he had doubled Rayo's lead in the 20th minute when he headed in off the post from a free kick.
However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for an offside against Unai Lopez, who impeded AEK goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, according to Xinhua.
AEK responded with chances for Aboubakary Koita and Barnabas Varga, but Lopez made amends in first-half...