Real Madrid Secures Second Place with a Win Over Rayo Vallecano
Reigning champions Real Madrid tightened their grip on second place in La Liga after defeating visitors Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in Matchday 27. This victory propelled them ahead of city rivals Atlético Madrid, who suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat against Getafe, just days before their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash.
Real Madrid is now level on 57 points with Barcelona, whose match against Osasuna was postponed following the sudden passing of the team doctor. However, Barcelona holds the head-to-head advantage. Meanwhile, Real Madrid gained a slight psychological edge over Atlético, now trailing by a single point (56), ahead of their crucial Champions League showdown at the Metropolitano on Wednesday. Los Blancos had won the first leg 2-1 at home.
Carlo Ancelotti welcomed Jude Bellingham back into the starting lineup after the English midfielder served his suspension last week. However, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and German defender Antonio Rüdiger remained sidelined due to injury and illness, respectively.
With Real Madrid juggling multiple competitions, Ancelotti opted to keep Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde on the bench as he recovers from a minor physical issue. The attacking trio featured the usual suspects—French star Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian duo Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.
The hosts broke the deadlock after 30 minutes when Vinícius played a precise pass to Mbappé, who drove down the left flank, beat a defender, and curled a shot into the far corner.
Just four minutes later, Vinícius doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a brilliant solo effort, dribbling past multiple defenders before unleashing a shot that deceived the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper.
The visitors pulled one back just before halftime when Pedro Díaz struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box that ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net (45+2’).
Atlético’s Stunning and Painful Collapse
Atlético Madrid squandered an opportunity to move into first place, falling 2-1 to Getafe despite initially taking the lead.
Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth, who came on for Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, put Atlético ahead in the 75th minute. He converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Omar Alderete inside the box. It was Sørloth’s seventh goal off the bench and tenth in La Liga this season, having started in nine matches.
However, Getafe responded swiftly. Shortly after substitute Ángel Correa was sent off for a reckless challenge on Togolese captain Djené Dakonam (88’), Atlético’s defense was caught off guard. From a free kick, Domingos Duarte’s header found Uruguayan Mauro Arambarri, who slotted the ball into the net, leveling the score.
Just as Atlético was reeling from the equalizer, Getafe struck again in stoppage time. Arambarri completed his brace (90+3’), redirecting a shot from Diego Rico past goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The Uruguayan now has eight league goals this season.
In other results, Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 with Mallorca. Antonio Raíllo gave Mallorca the lead (56’), but Nico Williams equalized just two minutes later. Bilbao remains fourth with 49 points.
Real Betis edged out a 1-0 win over 10-man Las Palmas, thanks to Diego Llorente’s goal (65’), strengthening their hold on sixth place with 41 points.
Sevilla secured a 1-0 away victory over Real Sociedad, with Nigerian forward Chidera Ejuke scoring the only goal (46’). Sevilla climbed to 10th place with 36 points, while Sociedad dropped to 11th with 34.
