Real Madrid returned to winning ways on March 9, 2025, battling to secure a 2-1 victory over local rivals Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu. Strong first-half performances from star players Kylian Mbappe and Vinícius Júnior not only lifted the spirits of the home crowd but also buoyed Madrid's position in the La Liga title race.
The hosts took the lead through Kylian Mbappe, who finished calmly after 30 minutes. A slick counter-attack saw Vinícius play the Frenchman through, who deftly navigated past the Rayo defense before firing home. Just four minutes later, Vinícius added another goal to Madrid's tally, displaying his trademark skill and precision with another well-placed shot to make it 2-0.
Rayo Vallecano, not to be deterred, put up fierce resistance and managed to pull back one goal just before halftime. Pedro Díaz struck from outside the box, sending his shot crashing off the crossbar and over the line after the referee initially waved off the goal. Thanks to VAR review, the goal was officially awarded and the score at the half settled at 2-1.
The second half saw Real Madrid adopt more of a defensive stance as they aimed to preserve their lead. While the home team created several chances to extend their advantage, including attempts from Mbappe and Vinícius, they were unable to finish, much to the frustration of their fans. Manager Carlo Ancelotti observed, “Although we also had a lot of chances… but when you’re 2-1 up, what you have to do is avoid problems and defend well.”
Despite the pressure from Rayo, who slowly began to find their rhythm as they pushed for the equalizer, Madrid's defense held firm. Vinícius Jr. earned praise for his contributions aside from scoring, relentlessly driving down the left flank and putting pressure on the Rayo defenders throughout the match. His performance, along with Mbappe's burst of scoring prowess, kept the crowd on edge.
After the match, Ancelotti spoke to the media about his squad's performance, acknowledging the fans’ dissatisfaction with the second half. He noted, "The first half was very good, it could have ended 3-0…and we have to take account of many teams like Inter and Liverpool who have had tough matches.”
Concerning injuries, Real Madrid reported minor knocks to several key players, including Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo, who all sustained injuries during the match. Vinicius is dealing with a toe injury, Bellingham has bruised his thigh, and Rodrygo has slight trauma to his hand. All three are expected to be fit for the upcoming Euroderby against Atletico Madrid on March 12, 2025.
This victory is significant for Real Madrid, as they drew level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga standings, albeit behind on goal difference. With just one point separating the top three clubs—Barcelona with 57 points and Atletico Madrid close behind with 56 points—every match remains pivotal as the league approaches its climax.
Ancelotti, who rested influential players such as Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger for this match, is hopeful about their fitness as the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid approaches. He stated, “I hope Rudiger can recover from the flu… and also Courtois.”
Looking forward, Madrid must maintain their momentum and discipline to challenge for the La Liga title and advance firmly through the Champions League. Ancelotti stressed:
“Vinicius and Mbappe scored two spectacular goals, and they had chances for the third. This performance shows we can compete if we keep our heads clear and defend well.”
Real Madrid’s next challenge will be to pressure Atletico Madrid, who also vie for the title, making their upcoming match pivotal not just for bragging rights but for the broader title race as well.
With the stakes higher than ever, fans are gearing up for what promises to be another thrilling encounter as Madrid looks to solidify its standing at the top of Spanish football.