Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2022/23

Vinícius says thanks

The Brazilian posted this tweet after the match to thank the fans and players for their support during the game.

LaLiga table

Real Madrid move into second for now. Atlético Madrid take on Espanyol shortly.

FT: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Madrid take all three points.

Real Madrid win at the Bernabéu thanks to a late Rodrygo strike. It's a tough one for Rayo to take after equalising through Raúl de Tomás.

Gil Manzano blows his whistle for full-time!

The Brazilian dribbles towards goal with his low centre of gravity after picking up the pass from Ceballos and fires an effort into the bottom right corner.

Real Madrid lead 2-1

Just as Rayo were back in it, Madrid have gone up the other end and taken the lead again. 

Rodrygo shows his class with a fine finish from the edge of the area. (Ceballos assist)

Possession %

Real Madrid - 55%

Rayo - 45%

Rayo goal

They enjoyed that one up in the away section, or up in the gods I should say.

It's a super strike from Raúl de Tomás. He gives Courtois no chance with a low drive from the left-hand side of the box. And a game that was dead, is now alive! 1-1

Radamel Falcao comes on for Rayo. There has been talk of a move for El Tigre this summer as he has become a bit-part player in Vallecas.

Carvajal clips a diagonal ball over the top for Benzema, but Dimitrievski flies off his line to claim it. 1-0

Alaba is stretching fellow defender Rudiger's leg. He's down with cramp.

It's gone a bit quiet in the Bernabéu. This is the business end of the season and their season is over. A Copa del Rey will never be enough so this season will be deemed as one to forget for Los Blancos. 

Asensio is on

He was warming up after just 23 minutes when it looked like Benzema may have had an issue, and he is finally on.

Rayo sub

RDT is on!

The substitutions have slowed it right down. Real Madrid will want to hold onto this narrow lead as they look to finish the season ahead of their cross-city neighbours Atlético Madrid.

Real Madrid changes

Ancelotti has decided to mix it up at 1-0.

Real Madrid are always preparing their own changes.

Rayo subs

And there's confirmation of those Rayo changes.

It remains 1-0 to Madrid just past the hour-mark.

Iraola is about to make a couple of changes for Rayo.

Carvajal is booked for taking down Unai López. And then he kicks the ball away.

Oh! That was classic Modric!

An outside-of-the-boot cross from the left finds Carvajal at the back post but the right-back can't keep his effort down.

Modric, yes you already know, is so good!

Comesana gets a booking for pulling Kroos back as the German looks to advance from midfield. Comesana has been rumoured with a move to Villarreal this summer.

Madrid do lead 1-0 from the first half. It was their No 9 Karim Benzema who got the goal. 

They're currently knocking it about with a wave of Rayo red in front of them. 

Isi gets a knock from Kroos. He runs into the back of the German and collides with his elbow. Not ideal.

There are no changes to report at the break.

Real Madrid kick us off for the second half at the Bernabéu!

The teams are back out on the pitch for the second half!

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid’s Bernabéu message to Vinicius in minute 20 against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid fans displayed a club banner which said, “Vinícius is all of us, enough is enough”, condemning racism and demonstrating their unwavering backing of the player.

The climax of this solidarity occurred at the 20th minute of the game, matching that of Vinícius’ shirt number, when the entire stadium chanted his name, to which the player responded, waving from his seat in the ground.

Madrid go in ahead

It's a narrow lead but it's a lead.

Real Madrid lead at the break. It's 1-0 to the home side thanks to a Karim Benzema strike.

There's the whistle for half-time!

Rodrygo plays a one-two with Benzema and as he closes down on goal, he falls over. There was nobody near him and he smiles at his misfortune. That really should have been 2-0.

Possession %

Real Madrid - 52%

Rayo - 48%

Madrid have held onto the ball for quite a while now, recycling it back and forth. Rodrygo says 'enough is enough' and fires over from outside the box.

Isi finds a pocket of space and gets past Kroos before slipping the ball through for Comesana. He crosses to the back post from the byline before Madrid eventually clear.

Benzema breaks the deadlock

It's 1-0!

Valverde slips Benzema in with a superb through-ball and the Madrid No 9 goes past Dimitrievski like he's not there and finishes from close range to give the home side the lead.

Rayo have a free about 35 yards from goal, or more. Lejeune actually goes for goal but doesn't realise it's Courtois himself between the sticks. It's an easy one for the Belgian netminder.

CAMAVINGA!

He shoots from 25 yards but it flies wide of the left-hand post. 

Rodrygo crosses to the back post but Valverde can only head it into the ground and it's eventually blocked by Fran García.

It's been a tough season for Benzema regarding injuries. He appears to be trying to shake whatever niggle he may have off. 

Marco Asensio is warming up and it looks like Benzema has a muscular problem. We'll keep an eye on that one.

That's a fully-deserved moment for Vinícius, who has had to deal with far too much over the past few days. It's been hectic and exhausting for him and we're all behind him.

The Bernabéu sings Vinícius' name and applauds their forward, who gets up off his seat to show his appreciation for their support.

Kroos sends a corner in from the right. It's cleared away and remains 0-0 as we approach the 20-minute mark.

Rüdiger tries a shot from a long way out, but it flies wide. The centre-back has gotten forward at every opportunity so far.

Rayo have been a joy to watch under Andoni Iraola, who has done a wonderful job on a shoestring budget. Iraola has been linked with a move to clubs like Leeds and Villarreal. He's a top young coach and is still learning his trade.  

Fran García crosses to the back post from the inside left channel. Alaba heads it away for Madrid. 

Camavinga sends a gorgeous diagonal cross to the back post for Benzema. It's right on his head and he heads it across goal but Dimitrievski is there once again. 0-0

Rudiger, in acres of space on the left, crosses into the box, but Dimitrievski comes off his line to punch it away.

After a bright start from Rayo, Real Madrid are having their spell now. Vinícius is sitting alongside club president Florentino Pérez tonight.

VALENTÍN!

It's a fine effort but just rises above Courtois' bar.

The Rayo fans didn't have too far to travel to get to this one and will have taken advantage of the short trip before the season comes to a close. Iraola's team currently sit on 46 points.

Isi looks to pick out Camello, but Rudiger reads his mind and run and robs the ball.

Real Madrid are playing from left to right as I watch it. Rayo are in their red away shirt and play from right to left.

We're underway at the Bernabéu!

Real Madrid fans have a huge banner saying, "We're all Vinícius, stop now."

And every Real Madrid player is wearing a Madrid shirt with Vini Jr 20 on the back before kick-off, which is a lovely touch.

Both sides hold a banner saying "racists, out of football"

The teams make their way out!

Rayo XI

Real Madrid XI

Kick-off is just five minutes away!

Arrests made over incident in January

On Tuesday, four people were arrested in Madrid for allegedly hanging a mannequin with a Vinícius Júnior shirt from a bridge near the Real Madrid training ground ahead of January’s Madrid derby.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez said: “What has happened is really very serious and also with the aggravating factor that it is not the first time it has happened. The society in which we live does not deserve what is happening. Sport is a meeting place for values and coexistence, for respect.

“That is why I want to make it very clear and announce that Real Madrid will not tolerate any more racist incidents and insults against any of our players.

“For this it is essential to radically change the refereeing structure of football in our country, so that the victim who suffers the offence can never be held responsible for the crime, as is happening now.”

Rayo all set

The boys from Vallecas have been put through their paces.

Vinícius out for Rayo clash

Vinícius trained alone in the gym at the club’s Valdebebas training complex on Monday and a knee problem has ruled him out of the game against Rayo. There are also doubts about the Brazilian being fit to face Sevilla next weekend.

Despite the forward being ruled out of the penultimate home match of the season, Real Madrid plan to use the game to make a public display of support for the 22-year-old before, during, and after the contest against Rayo.
 

Benzema gets ready

Benzema warms up ahead of kick-off.

Support for Vini

A fan shows his support for Vini Jr before today's game.

Vinícius: "I’ll go all the way against the racists"

Vinícius' entourage reportedly recommended he leave Spain earlier this week after the ugly scenes at Mestalla. 

The Brazilian player said: “I’m strong and I’ll go all the way against the racists... even if that is far from here”.

The worldwide support will have helped him in his ongoing battle with racism. “I will not give up. [...] I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more so that future generations do not go through similar situations, I am ready.”

Referee: Gil Manzano (Extremadura)

VAR: Estrada Fernández (Catalonia)

Rayo hoping to make life difficult for Madrid

Rayo are a team that enjoy making things difficult for the teams at the top, and they'll approach this one with their usual intensity. They recently beat LaLiga champions Barcelona, too.

Toni's in the house

Kroos control.

LALIGA

Brazil star Vinícius Júnior expected to extend Real Madrid contract: how long will he stay in Spain?

Despite the vile racist abuse suffered at Mestalla on Sunday, Vinícius is 100% committed to Real Madrid and has no intention of leaving the Bernabéu, AS understands. 

Ahead of the game against Rayo, manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media and played down fears the Brazilian could be tempted to move on: “Vinicius loves football and Real Madrid. His love for the club is very strong and he wants to continue his career with this team. I don’t think leaving has crossed his mind.”

LALIGA

Vinícius Júnior poster vandalised outside Estadio Santiago Bernabéu before Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

"Vandals sadly targeted a poster advertising the Santiago Bernabéu Tour, tearing off the section in which Vinícius' face appears."

Rayo XI vs Real Madrid

Andoni Iraola has named his team.

Rayo still dreaming of Europe

Rayo Vallecano currently sit on 46 points and although it's going to be difficult, they still want that Europa Conference League spot.

Real Madrid subs

Lunin, Luís López, Lucas, Odriozola, Militao, Vallejo, Mendy, Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Hazard, Asensio, Álvaro Rodríguez.

Valencia receive fine for Vinícius abuse

Spanish police arrested three people in Valencia on Tuesday in connection with the alleged racist behaviour.

Valencia have also been given a partial stadium closure for five matches and have also been fined €45,000. 

Bernabéu awaits

The iconic stadium will welcome the two teams very shortly.

Vinicius' red card rescinded

Vinícius’ red card from Sunday’s LaLiga match against Valencia has been rescinded, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Tuesday night after a meeting by the disciplinary Competition Committee.

The Madrid player was sent off in time added on by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for hitting out at Hugo Duro following a scuffle with Valencia players in which Vinícius appeared to be grabbed around the neck by the Valencia forward.

Vinicius had earlier been racially abused by fans located in the Grada Mario Kempes (south stand) at Mestalla, which led to the game being halted for over ten minutes as the player pointed out people who were abusing him.

“The RFEF Competition Committee considers that the referee’s assessment was determined by the omission of the entirety of the play that took place, which affected the refereeing decision,” the federation said.

“The fact that he (the referee) was deprived of a decisive part of the facts led him to adopt an arbitrary decision. And this is because it was impossible for him to properly assess what happened.”

Real Madrid XI

Here's your Real Madrid XI.

Madrid to show support to Vinícius

We're all here for the football but tonight, Real Madrid - arguably the biggest club in world football - will show its support for Vinícius Júnior. 

Vinícius is a remarkable footballer, who is an absolute joy to watch and has had to put up with far too much. The racial abuse has been disgusting and on Sunday, at Mestalla, we witnessed something that we shouldn't have to witness and something that Vinícius or anyone else should not have to deal with on an ongoing basis.

Valencia have been fined for the insults targeting the Madrid forward and three people have been arrested in relation to the ugly events that unfolded at the weekend.

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: welcome!

Hello and welcome to AS USA's live LaLiga coverage of this matchday 36 fixture between Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano.

I'm Kieran and I'll have all the latest news for you ahead of kick-off in the Spanish capital.