Real Madrid moves into the second in La Liga with a narrow win over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid has returned to winning ways in La Liga after picking up a narrow 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabeu.

It was a frustrating start to the match for Real Madrid, who started with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe despite the second stage of their Champions League round of 16 draw against Atletico Madrid, who was only three days. However, this decision paid from Carlo Ancelotti dividends on the half -hour mark as Los blancos broke the dead water with their first meaningful chance.

Kylian Mbappe received the ball on the left side, and after cutting in the right foot, he threw the ball into the far corner, leaving Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla with absolutely no chance.

Four minutes later, Real Madrid would double their advantage. Luka Modric played in Vinicius Junior to the left, and after moving away from several Rayo defenders, he turned the ball into the nearest post -a deflection took the ball away from Batalla, though the Brazilian superstar will feel he was earning this luck after a wonderful solo race.

Rayo could unlock the two goals behind, but in the final seconds of the first half they managed to cut Real Madrid’s advantage to one. It was an amazing strike from midfielder Pedro Diaz The left Andriy Lunin with no chance – it was not originally given as there was uncertainty as to whether the ball crossed the line but it was confirmed by was.

Real Madrid and Rayo both pushed to score in the second half, but none of them could. The result means that Los Blancos is up to second place in La Liga after Atletico Madrid’s defeat at Getafe earlier on Sunday while visitors stay in seventh.