Real Madrid earned a dramatic victory against Rayo Vallecano, the bottom team of La Liga. The hosts were close to making a miraculous come-back from a 0-3 after Jonathan Viera scored two penalties. However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace and Karim Benzema’s goal gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side three points despite Real didn’t show their best game.
Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead early in the third minute after slipping the ball through Galvez’s legs and curling it across Ruben into the back of the net.
As usual, Rayo tried to keep the possession, and Real’s relaxation after the goal allowed them to take control of the game. However, Los Merengues’ defence performed at a great level during the first half and the hosts didn’t have any serious chances to equalise.
Their best effort was a cross from Lass Diarra that Iago Falque sent to the back of the net with a volley. However, the goal was disallowed by the referee as the ball rejected of Jonathan Viera, who was in offside position.
Ancelotti’s men counter-attacks were very dangerous and it didn’t take long until Karim Benzema made it 0-2. Xabi Alonso recovered the ball in midfield and passed it to Gareth Bale. Rayo’s defenders couldn’t stop the fast Welshman, who send a perfect cross with his right foot and Benzema easily scored with a header.
The game seemed lost for Rayo when Ronaldo made it 0-3 at the start of the second half, scoring his 13th goal in La Liga this season. The Portuguese combined with Bale and smashed the ball into the net from close range.
However, two penalties in two minutes made the Vallecas side believe in a miracle. Pepe hauled Viera down and the Canarian shortened the difference. Viera himself made it 2-3 after Marcelo was penalised for foolishly crashing into the back of Falque.
With Rayo playing with a three-man defence, Paco Jemez’s side started playing brilliantly, causing Diego Lopez a lot of trouble. Alberto Bueno could have equalised with a powerful strike from 25 metres, but the ball was pushed onto the post by the fingertips of Real Madrid’s goalkeeper.
Adrian Embarba and Saul Niguez also missed two good chances but their shots went wide off the post. Ruben denied Ronaldo’s strike to seal the victory for Real in a counter-attack.
The host dominated the game completely in the second half, with Real showing a lack of personality and focusing only in defending. However, they were unable to complete the come-back scoring a third goal.
Madrid’s poor image in the second half and Fabio Coentrao’s injury were the negative part of a match that Los Blancos won to maintain the six-point difference with Barcelona.
