Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano (Mbappé & Vinícius Júnior). Up to second. Here is the immediate reaction to the win. Coming up: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast.
Every point mattered at this stage in the league, and a local derby against a Rayo Vallecano side who do not often drop points presented a big stepping stone for Real Madrid. David Alaba continued his return to fitness, starting alongside Raúl Asencio. The rest of the line-up can be seen below. Luka Modrić was the captain today.
Vinícius Júnior kicked things off with a great effort stopped by the keeper. Rayo then put Andriy Lunin to the test, who passed with a decent low save. Kylian Mbappé scored yet again to give Los Blancos the lead, showing good composure to break that deadlock. Vinícius Júnior then put the team further ahead with and amazing individual effort. Just before half-time, Rayo managed to keep the game alive with a great strike to make it 2-1 going into the dressing rooms.
Real Madrid held a moment of silence ahead of their match vs. Rayo Vallecano in memory of Barcelona's first-team doctor Carles Miñarro García, who died unexpectedly on Saturday at 53 years old. They also paid respects to David García de la Loma, a referee in the fourth tier who… pic.twitter.com/I68JaQkyrV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 9, 2025
No such action in the second half, which Real Madrid will not have minded. No significant chance was created, no notable play put together, and no interactions of note to worry about. Full-time, 2-1 to Real Madrid who move back up to second place. What did you think about this one?