Bellingham scores in six-goal thriller as Real Madrid share spoils with Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid missed the opportunity to go top of the table as Isi Palazon denied Los Blancos a stunning comeback from 2-0 behind as Rayo Vallecano earned a 3-3 draw at the Estadio de Vallecas.

Unai Lopez gave the home side a surprise lead inside four minutes when Los Blancos were caught out on the right side by Jorge de Frutos, whose brilliant cross found an unmarked Lopez to head home.

Inigo Perez’s side doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Palazon’s corner found Abdul Mumin at the backpost to nod past Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid were given a route back into the game thanks to a Federico Valverde effort from 30 yards out that flashed past Augusto Batalla to find the bottom corner three minutes later.

Jude Bellingham then levelled the fixture as he directed Rodrygo’s cross into the bottom right corner of goal just before the break.

Rodrygo must have thought he had completed the comeback when he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box to find the top corner, but things were once again level as Palazon managed to get a touch on Florian Lejeune’s ball to push it past Courtois.

Both sides had opportunities to find the winner in the closing stages as Courtois pulled off a superb save to deny Lejeune’s free-kick in the last bit of action.

Next up, Real Madrid travel to Qatar to play in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca on Wednesday, December 18, before they host Sevilla on Sunday, December 22.

Rayo Vallecano have two away trips to Villarreal (December 18) and Real Betis (December 22) before the Christmas break.

Real Madrid once again put themselves in touching distance of La Liga leaders Barcelona before kick-off on Saturday evening but failed to capitalise, with Barca set to play on Sunday against Leganes.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were once again not at their best as they faced a Rayo Vallecano team with one win in four games as Inigo Perez’s side took the lead within four minutes.

Real Madrid finally woke up before half-time to level the fixture before taking the lead, but were unable to dominant against their local rivals and gave Rayo chances.

They move to just one point behind Barcelona but have left the door open to Atletico Madrid, who are also in action tomorrow.

The Brazilian added a goal and assist to his tally as he made something out of nothing twice to help Real Madrid get back into the game and eventually lead, before they were pegged back again.

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla 7, Ratiu 6, Mumin 7, Lejeune 7, Chavarria 6, de Frutos 7, Lopez 7, Ciss 6, Embarba 6, Nteka 6, Palazon 7 Subs: Alvaro 6, Valentin 6, Camello 6, Diaz 7, Balliu 6

Real Madrid: Courtois 7, Vazquez 6, Tchouameni 6, Rudiger 6, Garcia 6, Valverde 7, Modric 6, Guler 7, Bellingham 7, Rodrygo 8, Brahim 6 Subs: Vinicius Jr 5, Camavinga 6, Ceballos 5, Endrick 5

4′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 1-0 REAL MADRID (LOPEZ) Real Madrid are caught out on the right side by Jorge de Frutos, who puts a brilliant cross into the box and Unai Lopez finds himself unmarked at the back post. He’s able to head across goal and put his side ahead.

36′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 2-0 REAL MADRID (MUMIN) Just as Real Madrid were finding their way into the game, Rayo Vallecano win a corner and it’s a great set piece and Abdul Mumin is at the back post. He heads across goal and Rayo Vallecano are 2-0 ahead.

39′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 2-1 REAL MADRID (VALVERDE) Out of nowhere, that is a beauty from 30 yards out from Federico Valverde! It looks like it might have got a deflection to go goalwards but Real Madrid will not care – it’s exactly what they needed.

45′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 2-2 REAL MADRID (BELLINGHAM) How is it 2-2? Real Madrid are level and it’s a brilliant cross from Rodrygo, which finds Jude Bellingham who directs his header into the bottom right corner.

56′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 2-3 REAL MADRID (RODRYGO) It’s a beauty. Real Madrid play it around the outside of the box before it finds Rodrygo, who moves left before launching his shot from the edge of the box and it’s a wonderful goal as it loops over and finds the top left corner. Comeback complete.

64′ GOAL! RAYO VALLECANO 3-3 REAL MADRID (PALAZON) That wasn’t the plan or maybe it was. Rayo keep things alive and Palazon is able to get the littlest of touches on Lejeune’s pass to put the ball past Courtois.

84′ GOOD SAVE BY BATALLA! It’s brilliant from Rayo’s goalkeeper to deny Vini as he cuts inside and Batalla is able to get fingertips on his rising shot.

90+8′ MASSIVE SAVE BY COURTOIS Rayo Vallecano earn a free-kick in a great position and it’s Florian Lejeune’s chance to test Courtois. He launches it over the ball and Courtois is able to beat away the shot, before the ball goes out.