Real Madrid Narrowly Beats Rayo Vallecano to Draw Level with Barcelona in La Liga Update

Real Madrid moved level on points with leaders Barcelona after they narrowly beat Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

Two goals in four minutes gave the hosts a comfortable first-half lead.

Kylian Mbappe cut inside and slotted into the bottom corner, before Vinicius Jr produced a near-identical finish, via a slight deflection off visiting defender Andrei Ratiu.

Pedro Diaz fired in off the crossbar, for his first Rayo Vallecano goal, in first-half stoppage time to halve the deficit.

Jude Bellingham made his return from a two-game La Liga suspension but was withdrawn late on after falling awkwardly.

The result means Barcelona remain top, with a game in hand, while Real are second on goal difference.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to city rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday for the second leg of their last-16 Champions League encounter.

Atleti missed the chance to go top of La Liga earlier on Sunday when the third-placed side fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Getafe.

They led 1-0 through an Alexander Sorloth penalty, but had Angel Correa sent off in the 88th minute and Mauro Arambarri scored twice in the final two minutes for the hosts. (BBC Sport)