Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with first-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior proving enough to claim three crucial points. The win sees Los Blancos move level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, setting up a tense title race as the season enters its final stretch.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side took control early on, breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute when Mbappé capitalised on a counter-attack, cutting inside before driving the ball into the bottom corner. Just four minutes later, Vinícius doubled Real’s advantage with a brilliant solo effort, weaving past defenders before slotting home.
However, Vallecano responded just before halftime through Pedro Díaz, whose powerful long-range strike struck the crossbar and bounced over the line before rebounding out. Initially unrecognised by the referee, the goal was awarded after a VAR review, giving the visitors hope heading into the second half.
Despite Real Madrid’s strong start, the match became more challenging in the second period. Vallecano pushed forward aggressively, outshooting the hosts 20-10, the highest shot disparity against Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabéu since 2008 (excluding matches against Barcelona). While Real Madrid’s defence absorbed the pressure, their wastefulness in front of goal nearly cost them, with both Mbappé and Vinícius missing golden opportunities to extend the lead.
Ancelotti acknowledged the difficulties but emphasised the importance of securing points. “The first half was very good, but we missed a few chances that could have made the second half easier,” he said. “In the end, we defended well and managed the game properly, considering our busy schedule.”
The win was particularly significant given Atlético Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Getafe earlier in the day, which allowed Real to leapfrog their city rivals in the standings. With just one point separating the league’s top three teams Barcelona (57), Real Madrid (57), and Atlético (56) the title race remains one of the most competitive in recent years.
Up next, Real Madrid face a crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday. Ancelotti is hopeful that key players Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger will recover in time. With La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey all in play, Los Blancos will need to maintain their intensity as they chase silverware on multiple fronts.
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