Leaders held to draw in Vallecas

It was all square in the clash at the Vallecas stadium. The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams creating chances, and the league leaders struck first after just four minutes. Brahim led a swift counter from Madrid to feed Valverde down the right wing. The Uruguayan’s low cross was slid into the bottom corner by Joselu past Dimitrievski in goal. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a quick VAR check correctly overturned the decision and the goal stood – the striker’s 14^th of the season and his 8^th in the competition.
 
The goal bolstered Real Madrid's confidence, as they clearly controlled the game, but Rayo equalised in the 26th minute. A fierce shot from Alfonso Espino deflects off Camavinga for a corner, but the referee is sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR and subsequently awards a penalty as the replay shows the ball hitting the midfielder’s hand. Raúl de Tomás smashed the spot-kick down the middle of the goal to pull the hosts level.

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The hosts were back on level terms, but Ancelotti's men very nearly took the lead in the 36th minute. Modrić swung in the corner, Aridane headed clear and Valverde struck a low volley that kissed the post and went out for a goal kick. On the stroke of half-time, Rayo looked to snatch the lead. In the 43rd minute, Álvaro feigned a cross and attempted to catch out Lunin with a shot, but the keeper was on hand to tip the ball behind for a corner.

Second half
After the re-start, Joselu almost grabbed his second. His effort from inside the area, after a through ball from Brahim in the 59th minute, struck the keeper's body. In the 60th minute, Camavinga appealed for a penalty following a push from behind by Isi, but Muñiz Ruiz ended up cautioning the Madrid player for protesting. Ancelotti introduced Kroos and Rodrygo and the German almost struck the winner in the 80th minute with a free-kick that Dimitrievski did well to tip wide. In stoppage time, the Whites kept piling on the pressure and Carvajal struck a left-footed drive from the edge of the area that was comfortably saved by the keeper. A minute later, the full-back was given his marching orders for a second yellow card and the game ended in a draw for the league leaders in Vallecas.