Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano: Match review | OneFootball

Real Madrid picked up an important 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 27 of La Liga, as they moved to second place in the table after Getafe stunned Atletico Madrid just minutes before the Whites kicked off. Los Blancos are now level on points with Barcelona as league leaders, although the Catalans have a game in hand as well as a superior goal difference.

The first 30 minutes were end-to-end with both sides having a fair few chances to take the lead. While the away side headed one opportunity off a corner just over the bar, the hosts came close through Vinicius Junior, whose effort from outside the box hit the post. Eventually, it was Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock half an hour into the match to settle some of the home fans’ nerves.

Vinicius Junior played a pass to Mbappe down the left flank with the outside of his boot and after taking it neatly into his stride, the Frenchman danced away from a defender and slammed a powerful shot into the far corner to score his first goal after a barren run of three matches. The well-taken finish rewarded Mbappe with his 18th strike of the season in La Liga.

Just four minutes afterwards, Vinicius Junior produced a work of art as he dribbled past three or four Rayo players in close quarters of the area before finishing into the near post to make it 2-0. The Brazilian, like Mbappe, was also on the scoresheet for the first time in three matches with his latest strike taking his tally in La Liga to 10 goals for the ongoing campaign.

Rayo Vallecano would hit back seconds before half-time through Pedro Diaz, who played a quick one-two with Alvaro Garcia and scored with a rebounded shot off the crossbar from outside the area. The match went into the break 2-1 in favour of Real Madrid, although the late goal by Inigo Perez’s side had given them a lifeline and some hope that they could take something away from the Bernabeu.

The second period was largely uneventful with neither side having any significant opportunities to score. Real Madrid defended well to ensure that their slender lead remained intact as did Rayo, who were not under the cosh as much with only Vinicius taking the offensive incentive in the second period for the hosts with the ball also being turned over between the two sides a number of times.

The final whistle was met with a mixed reaction by the fans as some booed the players for not trying to extend their advantage in the second half by being passive when they had possession. And though Carlo Ancelotti understood their frustration, he attributed the display in the latter period to his players being tired due to the busy list of fixtures which had seen them play Atletico Madrid just three days before.

Los Merengues and Los Rojiblancos face off once more on Wednesday in the second leg of their round of 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League at the Wanda Metropolitano. Real Madrid have a 2-1 lead from the first leg and will look to get the job done in the European Cup against their crosstown rivals midweek before turning their attention back to La Liga for next week’s away trip to Villarreal.