Real Madrid missed an opportunity to take temporary control of La Liga after a dramatic 3-3 draw against city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
Fresh from a 3-2 Champions League victory over Atalanta, Real Madrid faced the challenge without their star forward Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a thigh injury midweek.
Rayo struck early, with Unai Lopez heading in a superb cross from Jorge de Frutos in just the 4th minute. The hosts pressed on, with de Frutos nearly doubling their lead before Abdul Mumin headed home to make it 2-0 after 32 minutes.
Real responded quickly. Fede Valverde unleashed a 25-yard rocket to cut the deficit in the 35th minute, and Jude Bellingham’s clinical header in first-half stoppage time brought the visitors level. Bellingham’s goal marked his sixth consecutive La Liga match finding the net.
Real Madrid pushed hard in the second half. Although Arda Guler had a goal disallowed for offside, Rodrygo curled a brilliant shot into the top corner to give Real a 3-2 lead.
However, Rayo showed resilience, equalising minutes later when Isi Palazon connected with Florian Lejeune’s long-range effort, beating Thibaut Courtois to seal the final scoreline at 3-3.
The result left Real Madrid on 37 points, one point behind Barcelona, who play Leganes on Sunday. Real have a game in hand as they look forward to their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca in Qatar on Wednesday, with Mbappe expected to return.
Atletico Madrid, three points behind Barcelona, aims to keep upthe pressure in Sunday’s derby against Getafe, boasting a five-match La Liga winning streak.
