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Real Madrid, the current leaders of La Liga, faced a frustrating 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Despite Joselu putting Madrid ahead early in the game, Raul de Tomas, a former Madrid youth player, leveled for Rayo with a penalty in coach Inigo Perez’s debut match.
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This result allowed Carlo Ancelotti’s team to extend their lead over second-placed Girona to six points before Girona’s upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
Madrid, who dominated against Girona in the previous weekend, giving them a five-point lead, now provides an opportunity for their closest competitors to narrow the gap.
Dani Carvajal received a red card at the end of the match for an apparent elbow on Kike Perez. Rayo Vallecano, currently in 14th place, had recently dismissed Francisco Rodriguez and appointed Perez, making Madrid’s visit a challenging initiation.
Madrid took an early lead within three minutes, as Fede Valverde initiated a sharp counter-attack down the right.
Joselu scored, initially ruled offside but later confirmed by VAR. Although Joselu headed in a second goal, it was rightfully disallowed as Lucas Vazquez had taken the ball out of play before the cross.
Despite their early advantage, Madrid struggled to create clear opportunities. Without top scorer Jude Bellingham, recovering from an ankle injury, and coming off a midweek 1-0 Champions League win against RB Leipzig, Madrid seemed fatigued against the energetic and hardworking Rayo.
Rayo Vallecano equalized with De Tomas’ penalty in the 27th minute after Eduardo Camavinga handled Oscar Trejo’s shot. Valverde hit the post from 20 yards as Madrid sought to regain the lead. Rayo’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, made crucial saves, including one from substitute Toni Kroos’s free-kick.
In stoppage time, Carvajal was sent off for a second yellow card after swinging an elbow at Kike Perez in frustration, concluding a disappointing afternoon for Real Madrid. Later on Sunday, Granada faced Almeria in a bottom-two battle, while Real Sociedad visited Mallorca, and Real Betis hosted Alaves.
