Rayo: Juan Carlos; Quini, Amaya, Crespo, Tito (Rat 78’); Jozabed (Iturra 54’), Trashorras; Embarba, Pablo Hernández (Javi Guerra 54‘), Bebé; Miku. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Keylor Navas; Danilo, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Kovacic (James 78’), Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema (Lucas Vázquez 42’), Jesé (Modric 63‘). 4-3-3.
Goals: 1-0. 07. Embarba. 2-0. 14. Miku. 2-1. 35. Bale. 2-2. 52. Lucas Vázquez. 2-3. 81. Bale.
Yellow cards: Jozabed 53’, Crespo 62’, Kovacic 66’, Iturra 67’, Trashorras 73’, Amaya 76’, Rat 83’.
Real Madrid stay within a point of joint leaders Barcelona and Atlético after they fought back from two down to win 2-3 at neighbours Rayo Vallecano. Paco Jémez’s side needed points to get away from the danger zone, and they got off to the best possible start, Embarba putting them ahead from Bebé’s cross with only seven minutes gone. A few minutes later Miku poked home the second after Varane deflected a Trashorras corner to him, and only a couple of good saves from Keylor Navas prevented Embarba and Bebé from adding to the lead. With Ronaldo carrying a knock and rested, and Benzema also limping off close to half time, it was left to Bale to come to the rescue, and the Welsh wizzard (who had already hit the post in the opening minutes) headed one back from a Kroos corner on the half hour mark. Soon after the restart Lucas Vázquez levelled the scores with a well placed header from Danilo’s cross, and Bale intercepted a poor Embarba pass to run on and score the winner with ten minutes to go. Even so Rayo could have saved a point when Varane deflected a Miku shot over the bar in injury time, but it was not to be, and they end the day just three points above the drop zone.