Real Madrid spurned the opportunity to climb to the top of La Liga after they were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Rayo Vallecano in a thrilling six-goal encounter on Saturday evening.
Rayo Vallecano were fired up from kick-off and came out the stronger side, getting off to a dream start as Unai Lopez's header put them in the lead after just four minutes, and their night got even better when Abdul Mumin doubled the lead with a second headed goal, leaving Real Madrid deservedly trailing — a position in which they had managed just one win, one draw, and two losses prior to this game.
However, the second goal clearly sparked Los Blancos into action after a largely toothless first half, with Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham scoring two goals in the space of six minutes to level the game heading into the break, putting Real Madrid firmly back in control of the tie.
Momentum was firmly in Real Madrid's favour at the start of the second half, and it took the visitors just 10 minutes to go ahead for the first time when Rodrygo's effort was deflected in, but their lead did not last long as Rayo Vallecano showed brilliant desire and fight to quickly level the score through Isi Palazon.
The game grew increasingly scrappy as both teams searched for the winning goal, but neither were able to break the deadlock as the match ultimately ended 3-3, meaning Real Madrid remained second in La Liga while Rayo Vallecano stayed in 13th, extending their gap over the drop zone to six points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Not for the first time this season, Real Madrid were far from at their best, failing to demonstrate their immense quality as Rayo Vallecano outworked and outshot the visitors.
Carlo Ancelotti understandably rested some key players, while others such as Kylian Mbappe are out injured, but the Italian is seemingly still yet to work out his best 11 or system, with players' roles and positions consistently changing.
While they are just a point behind leaders Barcelona, Real Madrid's performances must be troubling Ancelotti and the players, who have grown accustomed to dominating teams in recent years, with it especially concerning how often they cheaply give the ball away, further highlighting the absence of the retired Toni Kroos.
As for Rayo Vallecano, they will be delighted to have taken a point from Los Blancos, but Inigo Perez will understandably be frustrated that his side failed to secure the three points, having outscored the visitors 1.64 to 0.65 on expected goals.
RAYO VALLECANO VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Unai Lopez goal vs. Real Madrid (4th min, Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Real Madrid)
© Imago
What a start for Rayo Vallecano, Lopez heads the hosts into the lead!
Jorge de Frutos brilliantly twists and turns Fran Garcia inside out before firing a cross towards the back post, where Lopez finds himself unmarked.
The midfielder meets the cross and perfectly headers his effort back across goal and into the bottom right corner, a superb start for the hosts.
Abdul Mumin goal vs. Real Madrid (36th min, Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Real Madrid)
© Imago
Mumin has headed in for Rayo's second!
Palazon delivers a beautiful corner towards the back post, where 6'2 Mumin is being marked by the considerably smaller duo of Garcia and Lucas Vazquez.
The defender comfortably beats his markers to the ball, heading back across goal and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to Rayo.
Federico Valverde goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (39th min, Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Real Madrid)
© Imago
What a goal from Valverde, Real Madrid are right back in it!
Los Blancos find themselves with possession down the right side, with Vazquez shifting possession to Arda Guler and onto Valverde, who has plenty of space outside the box.
The midfielder does not need a second invitation to strike at goal, and his effort zips into the bottom left corner to superbly pull one back for the visitors.
Jude Bellingham goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (45th min, Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham cannot stop scoring 🔥🔥
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 14, 2024
That's goals in 6 straight LALIGA games for the Real Madrid and England star 🏴 pic.twitter.com/OhTid9sstA
Bellingham has scored again for Real Madrid, they are back on level terms!
Antonio Rudiger drives forward and releases the ball to the left, where the striker Rodrygo has drifted wide to deliver into the box.
Rodrygo's cross finds Bellingham on the penalty spot, where the midfielder beats two defenders to the ball, glancing his header into the far corner to equalise for Real Madrid.
Rodrygo goal vs. Rayo Vallecano (56th min, Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Real Madrid)
© Imago
Real Madrid have turned the game on its head, Rodrygo puts them ahead!
Los Blancos are enjoying an extended period of possession as they gradually creep up the pitch, eventually working the ball to Guler just outside the box.
Guler lays the ball off to Rodrygo, who feints right before driving left and firing towards goal, with his left-footed strike taking a deflection as it sails into the top left corner
Isi Palazon goal vs. Real Madrid (64th min, Rayo Vallecano 3-3 Real Madrid)
© Imago
Palazon has equalised for Rayo Vallecano, what a game!
A long-range free kick from Florian Lejeune is parried wide by Thibaut Courtois, and Rayo Vallecano excellently keep the ball alive as they work it back to the defender.
Lejeune fires a shot-turned-cross towards goal, and Palazon makes a darting run across Courtois to get the slightest touch on the ball, taking it away from the keeper and into the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RODRYGO
© Imago
The Brazilian was one of very few Real Madrid players who can hold their head high after the largely underwhelming performance, assisting Bellingham's equaliser before putting Los Blancos in the lead just after half time.
Starting the game as a striker, Rodrygo struggled to make an impact in the opening stages but showed great intelligence by drifting wide later in the half and throughout the second 45 minutes, which allowed his influence to grow significantly, as he contributed two goals, three key passes, and one big chance.
Guler and Palazon also deserve recognition, with the former providing two assists and the latter scoring and assisting in a game marked by strong attacking performances and vulnerable defences.
RAYO VALLECANO VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Rayo Vallecano 34%-66% Real Madrid
Shots: Rayo Vallecano 14-13 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Rayo Vallecano 5-6 Real Madrid
Corners: Rayo Vallecano 4-3 Real Madrid
Fouls: Rayo Vallecano 18-8 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
4 - Federico Valverde is the player with the most goals from outside the box this season in Europe's top five leagues, with four.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 14, 2024
Missile. pic.twitter.com/AWLkhp4U0U
Players to score a goal in 5+ consecutive LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid in the last ten years ⚽️🇪🇸
— LiveScore (@livescore) December 14, 2024
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo (14/15)
🇫🇷 Karim Benzema (14/15, 15/16, 18/19, 20/21)
🏴 Jude Bellingham (24/25) pic.twitter.com/A8QuD7OMsa
2 - At 19 years and 293 days, Arda Güler is the youngest player to provide two assists in a single LaLiga match for Real Madrid in the 21st century.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 14, 2024
Present. pic.twitter.com/5DqNqxnlru
4 - Real Madrid have dropped points in four of their last five visits to Vallecas in LaLiga (W1 D2 L2), being this the first time they have dropped points in three consecutive visits to Rayo Vallecano in the competition (D2 L1).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 14, 2024
Streak. pic.twitter.com/Bt09D3A3ty
WHAT NEXT?
Rayo Vallecano's focus will now shift to a challenging run of away fixtures, starting with league clashes against Villarreal and Real Betis, before turning their attention to Racing de Ferrol in the Copa del Rey.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid's draw means they fail to move top of the table ahead of Barcelona, and their fight to move into first place will continue with a trip to face Sevilla next Sunday.
Ellis Stevens
