Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

1544904506

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

Friday 14 December 2018 11:57 EST

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game — Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

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

74 minutes

Real are living a little dangerously. The ball falls to Imbula on the edge of the box and he hits one with his left. It flashes wide of the far post.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:01

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

77 minutes

Benzema is down, clutching his left leg. An injury concern for Real, who could do without losing the Frenchman.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:04

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

78 minutes

Benzema can't recover from his knock and is replaced by 18-year-old Vinícius Júnior.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:05

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

82 minutes

Real don't look in any rush to score a second. They probably won't need one, but grinding out 1-0 wins against Huesca and Rayo Vallecano isn't what most fans would have envisaged at the start of the season.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:09

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

83 minutes

Imbula, on loan at Rayo from Stoke, is in the book for a late challenge.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:10

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

87 minutes

Ceballos is unfortunate not to pick out Vazquez with an intricate through ball. Vinícius has a shot, but it's blocked and loops over the bar.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:14

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

90 minutes

A late chance for Rayo as Vazquez gives away a needless free kick. Bebe floats the ball in, but the flag is up for offside.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:16

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

90+1 minutes

Three minutes of added time will be played

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:17

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

90+1 minutes

So close! Rayo are denied twice from close range by Courtois, who saves Real from embarrassment. The resulting corner is headed over and the hosts, by the skin of their teeth, survive.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:18

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

90+2 minutes

Valverde replaces Modric.

Callum Rice-Coates15 December 2018 19:19

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies