Real Madrid return to winning ways with slim victory over Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Re-live the action from the Bernabeu
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Real Madrid put the Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow behind them with a hard-earned 1-0 derby win over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.
Santiago Solari and his side had been jeered off after a 3-0 home defeat by the Russians in midweek, but produced the required result against their local rivals.
An early goal from Karim Benzema, who later went off injured, proved enough for victory, which moved Los Blancos up to third in the LaLiga table, two points off the top.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, though, had to make a smart double save in stoppage time to deny Rayo, who remain second bottom, a dramatic equaliser. Re-live the action below:
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
57 minutes
Carvajal plays the ball into space for Asensio to run onto. He knocks the ball forward and races after it, but Llorente, who is offside, gets there before him.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
59 minutes
A Rayo corner is headed out to Bebe, who has a go from 30 yards out. Predictably, it flies over and wide of Courtois' goal.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
62 minutes
Asensio latches onto a loose pass and embarks on a weaving run towards the box. His progress is eventually interrupted, but Real continue to probe. They know that the fans expect more than one goal.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
64 minutes
Bebe has certainly been involved since his introduction. He tries to beat Modric by knocking the ball past him, but gets it wrong. Then he fouls Kroos and goes into the box.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
65 minutes
Real have a goal disallowed. Kroos curls in a free kick, which Ramos meets and nods into the far corner. The flag is up, though, and Real are left frustrated.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
68 minutes
Much better from Bebe, who has another shot from distance. He strikes it well and brings a save from Courtois. It needed strong hands from the Belgian.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
70 minutes
It's all a bit flat from a Real Madrid perspective. After the CSKA defeat last week, tonight's game was an opportunity to make a statement. They haven't really done that.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
71 minutes
Real make their first change: Ceballos is on for Asensio.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
73 minutes
Now Rayo make another substitution: Embarba is off, Alegria on.
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
73 minutes
Benzema feeds Modric, who bursts into the box. The Ballon d'Or winner hits it on the run, but he's off balance and slices it high and wide.
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