Madrid held to draw in Vallecas

Real Madrid were held to their first draw of the season. The Whites began the game at the Vallecas stadium highly focused and after just three minutes, they almost took the lead when Batalla saved Arda Güler's shot from the edge of the area. The home side responded in the 20th minute with a shot from Ratiu at the near post that was blocked by Courtois.

From that point on, Xabi Alonso's men pushed forward and deserved to take the lead midway through the first half with two clear chances. The first came in the 22nd minute when Bellingham's header at the far post struck Mendy and Vini Jr. did well to pounce on the rebound to shoot inside the area. Batalla made a reflex save to keep his side in the game. Madrid appealed for a penalty following a clear challenge by Chavarría on the English player. A minute later, Brahim crossed and Asencio's diving header narrowly missed the target.

After the interval, the tempo of the game picked up and Rayo were the first to create a chance in the 50th minute, but De Frutos' effort in the six-yard box following Pacha's cross flew just wide of the net. Two minutes later, Arda Güler's strike from the edge of the area sailed just wide. Bellingham also had a chance to open the scoring in the 55th minute with a left-footed shot from a tight angle, but Batalla was on hand to turn the ball behind for a corner. And four minutes later, Mbappé's long-range shot from a low angle almost caught the keeper out

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The game was end-to-end and in the 69th minute, Valverde pounced on a rebound to shoot from close range, but once again Batalla, who was in inspired form, saved the home side. From then on until the end, Madrid pinned their opponents back in search of a winning goal, which almost came in stoppage time after a superb piece of play by Arda Güler, whose cross was blocked by Óscar V., nearly putting the ball into his own net. The Turkish player took the corner and Xabi Alonso's men appealed for a penalty for a clear challenge by Pep Chavarría on Mbappé, who was blocked from finishing.