MADRID (AP) " Goals by Damian Suarez and Garry Mendes lifted Elche from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win against a 10-man Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league Monday.
Defender Suarez scored his first goal of the season when a long clearance landed at his feet and he blasted a powerful shot into the far corner, out of goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez's reach, in the 21st minute.
"It was a really beautiful goal," Suarez said. "I don't normally score, but it was nice and I'm happy we've won."
Defender Jose Albacar missed a chance to double Elche's lead when he sent a header just wide two minutes later.
Elche goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton saved Alberto Bueno's close-range shot in the first minute of the second half and Rayo fluffed another opportunity when Roberto Trashorras powered his shot from just inside the penalty area wide in the 59th.