Real Madrid miss another chance to overtake Barcelona, ​​play out 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano prevented Real Madrid from taking provisional control of La Liga by limiting the European champions to a 3-3 draw on Saturday. Real traveled to their city rivals after a hard-fought 3-2 away win over Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek. Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th goal in the competition to open the scoring in Italy, but suffered a thigh injury that left the French star out of Carlo Ancelotti’s calculations for Saturday night in the Spanish capital.

Rayo Vallecano, fresh off a win last time out, stunned the visiting giants when Unai Lopez headed in a perfect cross from Jorge de Frutos with the match just four minutes old.

Rayo went for the kill in a noisy Vallecas stadium, only for de Frutos’ shot to fly over the bar.

But the locals only had to wait until the half-hour mark to double their lead thanks to another header from Abdul Mumin this time.

This unexpected score lasted just three minutes as Fede Valverde pulled one back for Real with a superb 25-yard strike for his fourth goal of the season.

While Rayo might have thought about going into the break in the lead, Jude Bellingham equalized in the first minute of first-half injury time.

The England international headed Rodrygo’s clip into the bottom corner for his sixth consecutive league goal.

Real appeared in the second half with the intention of completing their comeback and climb to the top of the table, for at least 24 hours.

Arda Guler had the ball in the back of the net, but the Turkish Real teenager’s effort was disallowed for obvious offside.

Two minutes later, Rodrygo put the visitors ahead for the first time in style, the Brazilian winger’s shot flying into the top corner past Augusto Batalla.

Ancelotti introduced Vinicius Junior, who made his return against Atalanta after injury and also got on the scoresheet against the Serie A leaders.

The sight of the formidable striker did not intimidate Rayo, who seconds later canceled out Real’s lead when Isi Palazon connected with Florian Lejeune’s long-range teaser to volley past Thibaut Courtois.

This is how the match ended, with Real now on 37 points, one behind Barcelona but with a game in hand.

Real’s next mission is on Wednesday, in the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar against Mexican side Pachuca, with Mbappé expected to be on the plane to Doha.

Barcelona will have a chance to extend their lead at the top when they host Leganes on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid are three points behind Barcelona after also playing a game less and have won five straight in La Liga ahead of Sunday’s home derby with Getafe.

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