Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano: Hosts maintain pressure in title race

Real Madrid moved level on points with LaLiga leaders Barcelona after quickfire goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior earned them a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. 

Carlo Ancelotti's side leapfrogged Atletico Madrid in the standings following their shock defeat to Getafe earlier on Sunday, with the top three separated by just a point. 

Barca, who will face Atletico next Sunday, have a game in hand after their match against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed due to the sudden death of their team doctor.

Real were ahead in the 30th minute when Mbappe cut inside and bundled his way into the box before rifling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

The hosts doubled their advantage four minutes later when Vinicius danced his way around the Vallecano defence and finished past Augusto Batalla.

But in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Pedro Diaz's thunderous effort that cannoned off the crossbar following a fine passage of play halved the deficit.

Mbappe went close to notching his second of the game eight minutes after the restart, but his curling strike narrowly evaded the far post. 

Los Blancos should have put the game to bed late on, but Vinicius somehow fired wide from inside the box after being found by Luka Modric's wonderful delivery. 

Data Debrief: Real win, but not at their brilliant best

Ancelotti's side knew the importance of beating Vallecano following Atletico's earlier stumble, and though they ultimately emerged victorious, it was not their best display. 

Vallecano ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of just 1.02 to their opponents' 1.6, despite having double the attempts on target against the champions. 

Indeed, Rayo had 20 shots to Real's 10 in the contest. Apart from Barcelona, this is the biggest difference for a Los Blancos opponent at the Bernabeu in a LaLiga game since January 2008 (+10 v Real Zaragoza). 

Real have also now conceded 51 goals in 46 games this season in all competitions. Among LaLiga clubs, only Real Valladolid (68) and Girona (52) have let in more.