Real Madrid Held To Draw By Stubborn Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night.

The first big chance of the game came after just six minutes when Fede Valverde intercepted high up the field before racing through on goal. His attempted finish, however, was saved by Stole Dimitrievski.

Real Madrid then suffered a scare, as Jude Bellingham needed extensive treatment for a shoulder injury. But the Bernabeu breathed a sigh of relief as the Englishman returned to the field minutes later.

Joselu then went close after Luka Modric’s corner found him at the back post. Despite rising highest and getting good purchase on the header, it went just wide.

Moments later, the same player dragged a shot from outside the area well wide of the post as Los Blancos’ frustration grew.

Five minutes before the break, Joselu threatened again. Vinicius showed some good skill to beat his man before cutting the ball back to Joselu near the penalty spot. The Spaniard struck first time with his left foot but Dimitrievski was there to make a decent save.

Madrid should’ve scored just after the restart. A ball across goal from Modric with the outside of the boot to the back post was begging to be tapped in, but Vinicius somehow couldn’t organise his feet for what should have been an easy goal.

Late chances, but no goal

In what was becoming the theme of the night, Joselu again headed wide after a lung-busting run from Valverde down the right flank. To be fair to the striker it was from a considerable distance.

Los Blancos finally had the ball in net on 65 minutes, but Vinicius was denied by the offside flag. David Alaba’s through ball found Joselu who chested it down for Vinicius who then slotted it through the keeper’s legs. But it was ruled out for offside on the Spanish striker.

Moments later Rodrygo, on from the bench for Modric, grazed the post with a close-range strike.

On 88 minutes, Madrid had a double chance. First, Rodrygo’s drive across goal was no nearly deflected in, before Rudiger’s header went wide of the post from the resulting corner.

But this time there would be no late Jude Bellingham winner, as Rayo held on for a valiant point.

The result means Girona end the week top of the table, two points ahead of Real Madrid in second.