Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of tonight's La Liga encounter between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Estadio Teresa Rivero.
The match was due to take place on Sunday, but issues with floodlights inside the stadium meant that the encounter had to be postponed for 24 hours.
Rayo currently sit in seventh place in La Liga with seven points from their opening four games, meaning that they enter the match six places above current champions Madrid.
Jose Mourinho's side will hope to build on their Champions League success over Manchester City with three points this evening and they have won their last eight games against the Vallecas club.
Last season's corresponding fixture was won by a single goal, with Cristiano Ronaldo on the scoresheet for Madrid with that infamous back-heel.
Please note that kickoff is at 6.45pm.
8.38pmSo there we have it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the evening and be sure to join us for more action this week. Until then!
8.36pmThe win moves Madrid one spot above Rayo into seventh. Meanwhile, they remain eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
8.35pmSo there we have it. Madrid secure their first away win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Madrid took the lead early on when Karim Benzema tapped home following an Angel di Maria cross, while a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty secured the win in the latter stages.
FULL-TIMERayo Vallecano 0-2 Real Madrid
90 min+2Not a great deal happening in the final moments of the evening as Madrid keep possession. Rayo have nothing to be ashamed of this evening.
90 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the half.
89 minMadrid have the ball in the back of the net once more as Ronaldo finds Ozil, but the German is ruled offside. Correct decision.
87 minStill Rayo push forward in search of their opening goal, but it just isn't quite happening. Madrid continue to threaten on the counter, but Ronaldo is twice caught offside.
85 minHalf-chance for number three for Madrid as Ozil attempts to find Ronaldo in the area, but the German's pass is just too long.
83 minFinal change of the evening for the home side as Carlos is replaced by Bille. Can they set up a grandstand finish?
81 minBoth sides are just exchanging spells of possession at the moment. No real chances for either team. The match as a contest was over following Ronaldo's penalty.
79 minRayo are throwing everything forward at the moment as they search for their opener. However, they are leaving huge gaps in defence.
77 minChanges for both sides as Trashorras replaces Tito. Meanwhile, Di Maria is replaced by Sami Khedira for Madrid.
75 minThis really could be anything in the final 15 minutes. The goal has just changed the whole feel of the match. It should have been four in the past two minutes.
73 minCHANCE! Oh my word! Somehow Ronaldo has not scored as he hits the post infront of an open goal. Incredible. It is all Madrid at the moment.
72 minChance! So nearly number three for Madrid as Ronaldo finds Higuain in the box, but his effort is just wide of the target.
72 minThat is a huge goal in the context of this match. I just do not see how Rayo can respond. Meanwhile, change for Madrid as Higuain replaces Benzema.
70 minRonaldo steps up to slide his penalty past Ruben. No mistake.
70 minGOAL! Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
70 minReal Madrid are awarded a penalty as Amat handles in the area. Guess who is going to take it?
70 minPENALTY TO MADRID
68 minStill Rayo go in search of their opener as they force a couple of corners. However, Amat just clips it over from close range. Meanwhile, change for the home side as Dominguez is replaced by Piti.
66 minIt's end-to-end stuff at the moment with both sides searching for that all-important strike. Mourinho does not look happy on the sidelines.
64 minChance! So nearly a leveller for Rayo as Carlos strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just moves over the bar. Meanwhile, Madrid make a change as Mesut Ozil replaces Modric.
62 minHalf-chance for Rayo as Dominguez strikes a free kick from just outside the box, but it smashes into the wall. Madrid are living on the edge here.
60 minWhat a strange situation. The referee has given a free kick to Madrid, but they were through on goal. It was the assistant who made the decision.
59 minOH NO! Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Benzema finishes inside the box, but the whistle had already blown for an earlier foul.
57 minI don't care what anyone says. Ronaldo is certainly not happy. He just does not look interested this evening. There's no real midfield play at the moment, it is just attack versus defence.
55 minSighter for Madrid as Di Maria searches out the run of Ronaldo with a fine pass, but Casado just clears the danger before Ronaldo fires over the bar moments later.
53 minChance! So nearly 1-1 as Arbeloa plays a horrific back-pass towards Casillas, but the Spaniard just beats Lass to the ball.
51 minWhat was I saying? Suddenly it's Rayo who look the most likely as Lass searches out Leo in the box, but Arbeloa jumps highest to clear the danger. We have a real contest here.
49 minMadrid have certainly started the half on the front foot with a spell of possession. However, Rayo are a real threat on the counter. The next goal is simply everything in this match.
47 minNot the best of starts to the second half for Rayo as they give away an early corner. However, Labaka jumps highest to clear the danger.
46 minHere we go then. Madrid kick us off in the second period. Will they get a second? Or is a Rayo response on the cards?
7.45pmJust incase you missed the opening half of football. You can read our report ahead of the second period here.
7.44pmFor Rayo, Dominguez and Lass have caused Madrid problems in wide areas. But aside from a couple of opportunites, they are yet to really threaten to open their account.
7.41pmMichael Essien is enjoying a productive game in the middle of midfield. Meanwhile, Benzema and Di Maria have been the sparks in attack. Nothing much from Ronaldo thus far.
7.38pmIt has been solid, yet unspectacular from the away side. But it was only ever about the three points this evening. They have just got to be careful, however, because there is a goal in Rayo.
7.35pmRayo have dominated possession with 51% of the ball. However, they have had just three shots on target to Madrid's five.
7.32pmSo there we have it. Madrid enter the break ahead following a strike from Benzema after 13 minutes. They certainly started the evening the better, but Rayo caused Mourinho's side problems in the latter stages of the half.
HALF-TIMERayo Vallecano 0-1 Real Madrid
45 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
43 minNot a great deal happening at the moment truth be told with Madrid controlling possession of the ball. However, Rayo remain a threat on the counter.
41 minChance! It's a brilliant take from Benzema as he collects a Di Maria pass, but his effort is blocked by Ruben. Those two have been Madrid's brightest sparks thus far.
39 minSo nearly a chance for Madrid as Essien searches out the run of Arbeloa, but Tito just makes the challenge. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
37 minPepe currently leads 'dive of the day' with a roll after being felled by Delibasic. Meanwhile, Rayo are the ones forcing the issue at the moment.
35 minIt is much more of an even contest as we approach the break. Madrid continue to enjoy the better of possession, but Rayo are certainly a threat now.
33 minCHANCE! So nearly 1-1 as Rayo twice come close with efforts in the box, but Casillas blocks Lass's strike before Alonso blocks an effort on the line. Wow. That was close.
31 minHalf-chance for Madrid as Essien searches out the run of Benzema, but Ambat comes across to make the clearance. Meanwhile, Carlos is crowded out by Ramos down the other end.
29 minDecent little spell for Rayo as they force a couple of throw ins in advanced areas. But no real chances to report for the home side thus far.
27 minMadrid continue to push for the second deep in the Rayo half, but the home side are a threat on the counter attack. Meanwhile, Delibasic is having some real trouble staying on his feet!
25 minChance! So nearly goal number one in a Madrid shirt for Modric, but Ruben gets down low to make a smart save. That's six attempts from the away side thus far.
25 minSighter for the home side as Casado strikes a volley from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of Casillas's post. Really decent tempo to proceedings in the early stages.
23 minAnother half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo releases an effort from outside the box, but Ruben makes the save.
23 minAgain it's brilliant play from Madrid as Marcelo searches out Pepe in the box, he in turn finds Ronaldo, but the striker is ruled offside. It's just all Madrid at the moment.
21 minChance! So nearly a second for Madrid as Di Maria bends an effort from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post.
21 minThe challenges are really flying in at the moment as Arbeloa dives into Delibasic. That was a really nasty one. He could quite easily have walked.
19 minHalf-chance for a second for Benzema as the Frenchman dances into the Rayo box, but Tito just makes the challenge at the vital moment. The next goal is all-important in this fixture.
18 minThere's a real sharpness to Madrid at the moment as they pass and probe in the Rayo half. Meanwhile, Essien is showing the kind of form he displayed at Chelsea. He is still a fantastic player.
16 minSuddenly it's all Madrid as Benzema attacks down the Rayo left, but his cross is just too high for Ronaldo. Rayo just need to settle themselves at the moment.
14 minWhat an important goal that is for Madrid. They had endured a difficult opening, but that just changes the whole feel of the match. Can Rayo respond?
13 minMadrid take the lead and it's Benzema who converts a Di Maria cross at the back post.
13 minGOAL! Rayo 0-1 Madrid (Benzema)
12 minIt's wonderful feet from Carlos outside the box as he skips past the challenge of two Madrid defenders, but his effort is deflected for a corner by Alonso. Madrid are under pressure at the moment.
11 minCasado fires the effort, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. Rayo are just starting to get into this match following a difficult opening.
10 minAnother free kick on the edge of the area for Rayo as Ramos clatters into the back of Delibasic. That was a nasty one. Can they take advantage?
8 minHalf-chance for the home side as Alonso fells Leo outside the box. However, it's poor and goes out of play for a goal kick. They need to make use of those opportunities.
6 minThe biggest cheer of the evening thus far erupts as Ronaldo loses possession. I sense that he will have his say at some point. Meanwhile, Essien picks up the first yellow card with following a handball.
4 minMadrid have certainly taken control of the early stages with Di Maria and Ronaldo seeing plenty of the ball. It's a half-chance for the away side as Pepe meets a Ronaldo cross in the box, but Ruben makes the save.
2 minDecent tempo to the early stages as Marcelo picks up possession in defence, but his ball is too long for Ronaldo.
1 minRayo kick us off on this mild evening in Madrid. I just hope we get 90 minutes of football with no problems!
6.44pmHere we go then. Madrid simply must pick up three points this evening. It is wonderful to see some light.
6.43pmUpdate: It is understood that a section of Rayo supporters are to blame for cutting the cables last night. Anyway, the players have now joined us and we are almost ready for kick off.
6.40pmI know Barcelona have not played well this season, and I know that it is early days. But that is a huge gap. Madrid need to put a winning run together. That must start tonight.
6.37pmWe have gone this far without mentioning Madrid's current position in La Liga. They sit in 16th spot in the table with just four points from four games, meaning that they are 11 points off the pace at the top of the table.
6.34pmMeanwhile, Madrid have lost their last three matches away from home in all competitions. That record just seems unreal for a Mourinho side? There is something not quite right at the moment. And I don't just mean with Ronaldo.
6.31pmIn terms of the history between the two sides. Rayo's last victory over Madrid came in February 1997 with a single-goal win. But with Madrid in a poor run of form in the league, anything can happen.
6.28pmJust a reminder that Sergio Ramos also returns to the Madrid team this evening. Meanwhile, Rayo pair Lass in attack with young Brazilian forward Leo Baptistao. I am looking forward to seeing him this evening.
6.25pmRayo president Martin Presa has blamed "football terrorism" for the issues on Sunday. One thing is for certain, it is being taken seriously by the authorities in Spain. But it does seem strange that it was allowed to happen in such a high-profile encounter. This is La Liga we are talking about.
6.22pmTeams:
Rayo Vallecano: Ruben; Tito, Casado, Labaka, Amat; Carlos, Fuego, Dominguez, Deilibasic; Baptistao, Lass
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Essien, Alonso, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Di Maria
6.20pmTEAM NEWS: Both sides are unchanged from the teams named yesterday. Just a reminder that Michael Essien and Karim Benzema both start for Madrid.
6.18pmMeanwhile, anyone who is considering taking action against the poor lights in the stadium, stop immediately. It caused far too much grief last time.
6.15pmGood evening all! Well, what a strange evening it was yesterday. We bedded down for 90 minutes of La Liga football, only for it to be postponed, then put back on, then postponed. But we are now ready. Almost. Not quite.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
