Real Madrid missed the chance to reclaim the top spot in La Liga following a pulsating 3-3 draw against a spirited Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening.
The match delivered non-stop action, with six goals shared between the teams in an enthralling display of attacking football.
Rayo Vallecano came flying out of the blocks, setting the tone early. Unai Lopez capitalized on a perfect start by heading his team into the lead after just four minutes.
Their dream opening only got better as Abdul Mumin doubled the advantage, also with a header, leaving Real Madrid trailing — a scenario in which they had only managed one win, a draw, and two losses this season.
The second goal served as a wake-up call for Los Blancos, who had looked subdued for much of the first half.
Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham brought Real Madrid back into contention with two quick goals in six minutes, ensuring the sides were level at halftime and swinging momentum in the visitors’ favor.
Real Madrid carried their resurgence into the second half and took the lead for the first time just ten minutes in. Rodrygo’s shot, deflected on its way to goal, seemed to set them on course for victory.
However, Rayo Vallecano, brimming with determination, equalized through Isi Palazon, whose quick reactions and clever finish silenced the visitors.
The intensity remained high as both teams pushed for a winner in a match that grew increasingly chaotic, but neither side managed to find the decisive goal.
The stalemate meant Real Madrid stayed second in La Liga, while Rayo Vallecano held on to 13th, maintaining a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Once again, Real Madrid failed to hit their usual high standards. Despite their quality on paper, they were outperformed by Rayo Vallecano, who worked harder and took more shots than their illustrious opponents.
Carlo Ancelotti opted to rest key players, a move that might have backfired. Injuries to stars like Kylian Mbappe compounded the manager’s selection challenges, with Ancelotti still seemingly undecided on his ideal starting XI or tactical setup.
The absence of the retired Toni Kroos was also glaring, as Real Madrid’s struggles with ball retention continue to haunt them.
For Rayo Vallecano, the result was a hard-fought point against one of La Liga’s giants.
