Alberto Bueno scored the only goal to give Rayo Vallecano a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Bueno's 20th-minute strike was enough to halt a three-game losing run and end Vigo's four-match unbeaten streak.
Bueno must share the match-winning honours with keeper Cristian Alvarez, though. Time and again he denied Celta's attacks, with his display enough to leave the visitors feeling as though it was a game they should have won.
The international break had done little to halt Celta's positive attitude and they were quick out of the blocks, Augusto Fernandez having a shot blocked before two minutes were up.
They continued to go forward and Joaquin Larrivey shot wide before the home side came into the game.
Roberto Trashorras had a volley saved by Sergio Alvarez and the goal arrived with 20 on the clock as Gael Kakuta's cross was met by Bueno, who nodded in from six yards.
Vigo looked to hit straight back, Alex Lopez being denied by Alvarez while they went even closer when Michael Krohn-Delhi thumped one into the post from the edge of the box. Fernandez was quick to the follow-up but was denied by an inspired Alvarez.
That sequence of play transferred into the second half with Alvarez keeping out Jonny and then pushing a right-footer from Fernandez behind. From the resulting corner Gustavo Cabral cracked a header against the bar and it was becoming apparent that this was not the visitors' day.
They continued to go forward, though, Fabian Orellana hitting wide and Cabral off target when a corner fell to him, but in the end they were unable to find a way through.