Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga

Real Madrid record narrow victory over Rayo

Real Madrid went into the break two goals to the good at the Santiago Bernabéu. Toni Kroos slotted home from inside the box after good play from Marco Asensio down the right. 

Karim Benzema added a second for Madrid seven minutes before the break when he poked home an excellent David Alaba cross from the left wing. 

Rayo stayed in the game despite more chances for Madrid through Vinicius and Benzema. Andoni Iraola made changes that spurred his team on. Radamel Falcao came on to head home his first ever goal at the Bernabéu, before being forced off just four minutes later through injury. 

Bebé hit the post for Rayo and Kroos cleared an effort off the line. Madrid held on to their lead and move top for now. Real Sociedad play tomorrow and a win will see the Basque outfit return to the top of the table. 

A valiant effort from Rayo

Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

First half goals from Kroos and Benzema send Madrid back to the top of the table.

FT: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Madrid clear!

Rayo have another corner!

Unai López shoots from distance and Courtois saves after Kroos kicks the ball off the line as Rayo looked set to get an equaliser.

Rayo have a corner! Bebé to take. 

Nacho is waiting to come in for Madrid.

Rayo's subs have given them life since coming on. Bebé has been a constant threat. The side from Vallecas still have time to get an equaliser.

OFF Benzema & Asensio

ON Lucas Vázquez & Hazard

In 10 minutes, Falcao comes on, scores, and goes off again. 

Falcao has only lasted 10 minutes. It looks like he is suffering from a groin problem. 

OFF Falcao

ON Guardiola

Álvaro García picks El Tigre out at the back post. His header takes a very slight deflection off Alaba's heel and goes beyond Courtois. 

Falcao is only on the pitch five minutes and he has Rayo back in the game. 

Bebe hits the post!

What a top-class signing Alaba has been for Madrid. Defensively, he is rock solid but offers so much going forward, including an assist tonight and a goal in El Clásico. 

Álvaro García crosses from the left. It's aimed at Falcao. Alaba is having none of it and clears. 

We're now into the final 20 minutes of the game. Madrid have been very impressive but are still not out of sight. 

Falcao has never scored in the Bernabéu. Will tonight be the night?

OFF Nteka

ON Falcao

Falcao is about to come in for Rayo.

Vinicius is playing with so much confidence right now. Benzema picks him out of the left. He runs at the Rayo defence, but can't find a gap so turns back and keeps possession.

Eden Hazard is warming up for Real Madrid. 

Benzema curls an effort just past the right top corner of the goal. He opens up his body and curls it to the far post but it whizzes just wide.

OFF: Isi & Trejo

ON : Bebe & Unai López

Falcao is warming up for Rayo.

Dimitrievski denies Vinicius with his feet. Benzema plays the through ball to in the inside left channel for Vinicius to hit it first time. The Rayo keeper makes a good stop at his near post. Benzema and Vinicius combine once more. 

Real Madrid have had two great chances to make it 3 in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. 3-0 would be the final nail in the coffin. At 2-0, Rayo still have a chance, especially with Falcao on the bench. We believe the Colombian striker has a slight knock so maybe he won't appear tonight. 

Asensio! The Spanish forward is 1 v 1 with Dimitrievski and tries to dink it over the keeper, who eventually stops the shot. It could be 3-0.

The Santiago Bernabéu is chanting Vinicius' name after that solo run.

Madre mía Vinicius! The Brazilian goes on an incredible run from the halfway line, before taking it around three Rayo players, striking on goal, only for his shot to be blocked on the line.

Asensio sneaks in between two Rayo defenders and plays it to Benzema. Rayo clear before the France international can react. 

If you're only joining us now, Real Madrid lead 2-0.

Rayo get us underway!

Real Madrid lead at the break thanks to goals from Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.

HT: Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

Carvajal has had a difficult night down his wing against Álvaro García.

Trejo lays it off to Álvaro García, who shots straight at Courtois. 

Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano

Benzema again!

Vinicius shots, Dimitrievski spills the shot, it falls to Benzema, but his headed effort goes over the bar. 

GOAL Madrid!

Real Madrid score again!

This time it's Benzema at the back post. Alaba crosses into the into the corridor of uncertainty and Benzema, between keeper and defender, slots home from close range. It's a wonderful ball from Alaba and Benzema is just onside!

14 goals for Benzema, 10 in LaLiga

Madrid go so close to adding a second!

Militao drives a cross into the box - it comes off Comesaña - and flies over the bar!

BENZEMA!

Carvajal sends a super ball to the back post. Benzema shapes up to finish on his left but his lobbed effort hits the roof of the net from a tight angle. 

Camavinga in instead of Modric tonight has seen Madrid play a little higher and press higher too. 

Vinicius and Asensio have swapped wings. The Brazilian is now playing down the right. Asensio gets a rare start tonight with Rodrygo out. 

Toni Kroos picks up a yellow card for pulling down Óscar Trejo. 

Luka Modric has been left out for today's match because of a bad cold, according to the club. 

Asensio has a shot on target. It's an easy one for Dimitrievski in the Rayo goal. 

Óscar Trejo shoots!

It's a well-hit strike from the edge of the box by the Rayo captain but it's straight at Courtois.

Benzema goes on a long run and looks to play it wide to Asensio but Álvaro García reads it well and cuts it out.

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (Kroos)

Madrid go ahead after 14 minutes!

Marco Asensio tees up the German midfielder, who burst into the box and fired a shot past Dimitrievski from 12 yards to score his first goal of the season. 

Asensio sets up Benzema with a low-driven cross from the right, but the No 9 sends his shot well over from 15 yards out.

Rayo recently beat Barcelona in Vallecas, on the same night that Ronald Koeman was fired. Since then Barcelona have hired Xavi. Iraola remains in charge of Rayo and he's doing a magnificent job. After that win over Barca, they won't fear Ancelotti's team here.

Real Madrid sit in second place in LaLiga and a win tonight will see them go top as Real Sociedad don't play until tomorrow. 

Vinicius goal ruled out for offside

Benzema wins a corner and takes it quickly. Kroos crosses but Rayo clear. Carvajal sends another cross to the back post. Benzema heads it across goal for Vinicius to tap in but he's offside!

Álvaro García finds himself in acres of space down the left channel but doesn't connect well with the ball and his shot goes wide of Courtois' post.

The home side are playing from left to right. Rayo, in their away baby blue strip, are playing from right to left and have had a shot after just 29 seconds!

Real Madrid get us underway!

The players are in the tunnel!

AS predictions:

Rob: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Kieran: Real Madrid 3-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo XI vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid starting XI

Kick-off at the Bernabéu is just 15 minutes away!

REAL MADRID

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