Madrid: Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 4-1 at home Saturday in La Liga after building a three-goal first-half lead before the visitors produced a much stronger second-half performance.
According to Anadolu Agency, Rayo created the first opportunity in the ninth minute when Giorgi Tsitaishvili's low effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois. Madrid took control shortly afterward, with the hosts being awarded a penalty in the 13th minute after Florian Lejeune brought down Alvaro Carreras inside the penalty area. Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot a minute later, putting Madrid ahead.
Madrid doubled their advantage in the 17th minute following an interception by Vinicius Jr of Lejeune's attempted backpass. Mbappe then set up Carreras to make it 2-0. Madrid continued to threaten, with Vinicius Junior and Mbappe both taking shots, before Rayo responded with Sergio Camello forcing Courtois into a diving save.
Jude Bellingham extended the lead to 3-0 in the 35th minute, finishing from Vinicius Junior's cutback after being left unmarked inside the penalty area. Mbappe nearly added another before halftime when his powerful effort struck the post, while Courtois produced a save from a long-range effort at the other end as Madrid went into the break three goals ahead.
Rayo returned for the second half with greater intensity and immediately posed a threat, hitting the post with a long-range effort in the 47th minute. The visitors were rewarded four minutes later when Camello capitalized on a Madrid mistake, finishing under Courtois to narrow the deficit to 3-1. Rayo continued to challenge, with Tsitaishvili forcing another save from Courtois and later heading over from a promising position in the 64th minute.
As the match progressed, Madrid gradually regained control. Audero denied Denzel Dumfries and substitute Arda Guler. Mbappe eventually added his second goal in second-half stoppage time, driving a powerful right-footed effort across the goal and into the bottom corner after being set up by Guler.
The 4-1 victory elevated Real Madrid to 12 points in five matches, while Rayo remains with four.