Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both found the net for Real Madrid as they defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Sunday, drawing level with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Los Blancos moved one point ahead of Atletico Madrid, who suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Getafe earlier, while Barca’s match on Saturday was postponed due to the death of a club doctor.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side delivered a solid, if unspectacular, performance to overcome their local rivals, with the crucial Champions League derby against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday looming large.
The Italian coach reintroduced Jude Bellingham to the starting lineup after his suspension but left Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger out due to a knee issue and illness, respectively.
However the duo are expected to return to face Atletico in the last 16 second leg clash.
With one eye on that game, Ancelotti also began with Fede Valverde on the bench after he recovered from a minor fitness issue, but started star forwards Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes.
Rayo Vallecano, seventh, were without several key players, including Jorge de Frutos, Abdul Mumin, Randy Nteka and Isi Palazon, but still gave a strong account of themselves.
Vinicius hit the post with Madrid’s first significant attack, after his Brazilian compatriot Rodrygo teed him up with a surge down the right.
Rayo Vallecano, enjoying a good season, threatened themselves when Andrei Ratiu’s drive was saved by Andriy Lunin and Raul Asencio blocked well from Gerard Gumbau’s follow up.
Los Blancos took the lead after half-an-hour at the Santiago Bernabeu when Vinicius played Mbappe in down the left.
The French superstar, who failed to score in flat outings in his two previous appearances, causing concern in the Spanish capital, took on Florian Lejeune before firing home.
Four minutes later Madrid doubled their advantage through Vinicius. The winger produced two stepovers to keep Ratiu guessing before finishing lethally at the post.
Mbappe should have netted the third or passed to the open Vinicius to score, but his shot was well saved by Augusto Batalla.
Rayo Vallecano pulled one back in first-half stoppage time, with Diaz scoring his first goal for the club from the edge of the box.
The midfielder’s shot hit the crossbar, bounced down over the line, then back up against the bar and out, with the goal being confirmed after a VAR review.
Madrid posed a threat in the second half, but both Mbappe and Vinicius were guilty of questionable decision-making in the final third, seemingly more focused on increasing their individual goal tallies than setting up each other.
Ancelotti substituted Rodrygo and Mbappe to rest them for the upcoming Champions League clash, with Bellingham also coming off late as Madrid secured just their second win in the last six league matches.
