BARCELONA, Spain — Real Madrid were held to a 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano in a thrilling derby on Saturday, missing a chance to overtake Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Rayo set a high tempo and stunned the powerhouse with two headed goals from Unai López and Abdul Mumin to lead 2-0 in the 36th minute.
Federico Valverde struck with a powerful shot from well outside the area to pull one back for Madrid, then Jude Bellingham headed the visitors level from a Rodrygo pass just before half-time.
Madrid looked set to complete a comeback win when Rodrygo put them ahead for the first time with a deflected shot in the 56th.
But Rayo midfield leader Isi Palazón stretched out a boot to guide Florian Lejeune’s shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 64th.
Madrid was without striker Kylian Mbappé, who is nursing a left thigh injury. Vinícius Júnior went on as a substitute in the second half. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla saved the Brazilian’s best effort in the final period.
Madrid was second, one point behind Barcelona.
Rayo’s Isi Palazon, center right, celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
Ancelotti “satisfied”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side dropped their guard in defense when his players left López and Mumin unchecked to turn in crosses. But he said he was “pleased” with the team’s response, especially given the injuries to defensive starters Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy.
He also saw to it last season, when his side drew twice against Rayo.
“Last year we didn’t win here, we drew, and we won the league anyway,” Ancelotti said. “We are playing well and on the right track. So we had a draw. We have to look to the next games.”
Madrid, as Champions League title holders, next travel to Qatar to play the Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca.
Rayo’s Ivan Balliu, center, challenges for the ball with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez
“We have a great chance to win a title on Wednesday, which would put the cherry on top of a great year,” Ancelotti said.
Bellingham took its league point streak to six games in a row.
Vinícius will miss the next game at home to Sevilla after picking up his fifth yellow card, this time for protesting.
Rayo were in 13th place. The modest club also held Atletico Madrid to 1-1 and forced Barcelona to rally for 2-1 thanks to a late goal.
“Before the game we talked about all our last games with Real Madrid when we had been close to winning, so we knew that if they were not in the game we could get a good result,” Rayo coach Íñigo Pérez said.
Navas bids farewell to Sevilla fans
Sevilla’s Jesus Navas bid farewell to his home fans during a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo as he nears the end of his 20-year playing career.
Players from both teams wore T-shirts with the words “Navas Legend” before kick-off. They gave a teary-eyed Navas a guard of honor with trophies he won with the club placed on the pitch. Navas cried again and knelt to kiss the turf as he was substituted with 20 minutes remaining.
“Jesus has always been my role model, I remember seeing him when I was a child,” Sevilla striker Manu Bueno said. “I’m so proud to have scored this goal and to be able to dedicate it to him.”
Navas announced in May that he would retire at the end of the year, halfway through this season.
Navas, who turned 39 last month, made his debut for his boyhood club in 2004 and played twice for Sevilla either side of his spell at Manchester City from 2013-17 when he helped them win a Premier League title. He helped Sevilla win two Europa Leagues and two Copa del Reys among other titles.
Navas helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, his second. He was also part of the WC squad in 2010.
His last game will be at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on December 22.
Larin helps Mallorca win by 10
Cyle Larin scored twice, one while Mallorca were down to 10 men, to complete a 2-1 comeback victory over Girona at home.
Larin scored from an assist by Vedat Muriqi to cancel out Girona’s opener from Donny Van de Beek.
Mallorca went down a man in the 32nd when Muriqi was red-carded for a hard foul on Byran Gil. But Larin got level when he pressured goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and slid to deflect the keeper’s clearance into goal for the winner in the 51st minute
Espanyol held Osasuna to 0-0 at home.
