Rayo Vallecano 3-3Real Madrid (Valverde, Bellingham & Rodrygo Goes). A six goal thriller. Here is my reaction to the derby. Watch out for: Player ratings, press conferences an exclusive podcast.
It seemed neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid were comfortable with being top of the league - as both sides were dropping points for fun and allowing the other to sneak ahead in the title race. The local derby that is Rayo Vallecano away, in front of a devoted crowd against a group of players just as passionate would prove to be as tricky as any game for Real Madrid, who needed the win to complete the turn of fortune their season was currently experiencing. The starting line-up was strong enough to leave with three points, with the added bonus of Vinícius Júnior returning to the bench. Four Castilla players made the bench, sitting next to Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick. Luka Modrić captained Madrid in the derby.
The size of this challenge was fully realised when Rayo Vallecano landed their first punch after just four minutes. Castilla graduate Jorge De Frutos set up Unai López to stun the visitors. Arda Güler would get the first Real Madrid chance, curling a shot just wide. It was the hosts who would strike next though, notching their second through Abdul Mumin. Real Madrid reacted well to this, knowing that anything but a win would hand yet another glorious chance for Barcelona to push ahead in the table. Fede Valverde took just three minutes to respond with a world class attempt that no keeper would have saved. Jude Bellingham is pretty much a goal advantage before a game has even started these days, and he cashed in that ticket right before half-time - heading in a Rodrygo Goes cross to complete a comeback and send his team into the break level on terms. Half-time, 2-2 and a thrilling first half.
4'—Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Real Madrid
36'—Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Real Madrid
39'—Rayo Vallecano 2-1 Real Madrid
45'—Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Real Madrid
56'—Rayo Vallecano 2-3 Real Madrid
64'—Rayo Vallecano 3-3 Real Madrid
This game pic.twitter.com/8wZHMPlZpC
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 14, 2024
Arda Güler almost put Real Madrid ahead to kick the second half off, but his goal was ruled out for offside. That didn’t matter though, as he then helped to produce the next goal - helping Rodrygo Goes to hand Los Blancos the lead for the first time from the edge of the area. Rayo didn’t give up here, capitalising on some questionable defending to pull the game back to 3-3. The chances slowed down until Vinícius Júnior came on, and toyed with the defence before the keeper pounced to stop him from scoring a superb goal. A couple of half chances during a lengthy injury time period were not enough to steal the points at Vallecas, with the final score reading 3-3. A thrilling game, but was this a good result?