Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano: Karim Benzema scores again as Carlo Ancelotti's side go top

Real Madrid returned to the top of La Liga with a hard-earned victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

Toni Kroos put the hosts ahead after 14 minutes with a well-taken, side-footed finish from Vinicius Junior's pass.

Karim Benzema doubled the advantage before half-time, slotting in his 10th league goal of the season from David Alaba's cross.

Substitute Radamel Falcao headed in with 13 minutes left but Rayo could not find an equaliser and remain sixth.

Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano as it happened

Victory moved Carlo Ancelotti's side two points clear of Real Sociedad, although Sevilla will join them on 27 points if they defeat Real Betis on Sunday (20:00 GMT).

Benzema had several chances to put the hosts' beyond reach, while Vinicius was unable to finish after a superb run and Marco Asensio was also denied at close range.

They were almost punished for their profligacy in added time but Kroos produced a goal-line clearance and Thibaut Courtois tipped a follow-up shot from Unai Lopez over the crossbar.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Real Madrid

Formation 4-3-3

1Courtois
2CarvajalSubstituted forNachoat 90+3'minutes
3Militão
4Alaba
23Mendy
25Camavinga
14Casemiro
8KroosBooked at 29mins
11AsensioSubstituted forVázquezat 83'minutes
9BenzemaSubstituted forE Hazardat 83'minutes
20Vinícius Júnior

Substitutes

5Vallejo
6Nacho
7E Hazard
12Marcelo
13Lunin
16Jovic
17Vázquez
22Isco
27Blanco
35Gutiérrez
40Fuidias

Rayo Vallecano

Formation 4-2-3-1

13Dimitrievski
20BalliuBooked at 45mins
24SaveljichSubstituted forPozoat 81'minutes
5Catena
33García Torres
6ComesañaBooked at 68mins
23Valentín
7PalazónSubstituted forDias Correiaat 60'minutes
8TrejoSubstituted forLópezat 60'minutes
18García Rivera
9NtekaSubstituted forFalcaoat 69'minutesSubstituted forGuardiola Navarroat 81'minutes

Substitutes

1Zidane
2Maras
3Falcao
4Suárez
10Dias Correia
11Martín
12López
16Guardiola Navarro
19Rodrigues
21Ciss
22Pozo
32Hernández

Referee:: Pablo González Fuertes
Attendance:: 43,283

Match Stats

Home TeamReal MadridAway TeamRayo Vallecano

Possession: Home55%; Away45%

Shots: Home15; Away19

Shots on Target: Home7; Away7

Corners: Home4; Away5

Fouls: Home8; Away14

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Rayo Vallecano 1.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Rayo Vallecano 1.

90'+4'
Post update
Attempt missed. Sergi Guardiola (Rayo Vallecano) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
90'+4'
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Offside, Real Madrid. Toni Kroos tries a through ball, but Eden Hazard is caught offside.
90'+3'
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Attempt missed. Alejandro Catena (Rayo Vallecano) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Bebé with a cross following a corner.
90'+3'
Substitution
Substitution, Real Madrid. Nacho replaces Daniel Carvajal.
90'+1'
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Corner, Rayo Vallecano. Conceded by Thibaut Courtois.
90'+1'
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Attempt saved. Unai López (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Fran García.
90'+1'
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Attempt blocked. Óscar Valentín (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from very close range is blocked.
90'+1'
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Attempt blocked. Iván Balliu (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bebé with a cross.
90'+1'
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Corner, Rayo Vallecano. Conceded by Toni Kroos.
90'+1'
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Attempt blocked. José Pozo (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bebé with a cross.
87'
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Attempt blocked. Bebé (Rayo Vallecano) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Unai López.
86'
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