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Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match
- Updated: April 23, 2016
Real Madrid escaped a rain-soaked Campo de Futbol de Vallecas with a 3-2 win after going down 2-0 against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, with Gareth Bale scoring a brace to keep his team alive in the Spanish title race.
Adrian Embarba and Miku gave the hosts a shock 2-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes, as Real’s defence looked abysmal and the away team keenly felt the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Bale pulled one back for Los Blancos before half-time, and Lucas Vazquez tied things up after 52 minutes.
Real didn’t create many chances for a winner but made the most of those available, and Bale eventually found the breakthrough after 83 minutes.
As shared by Real’s official Twitter account, manager Zinedine Zidane handed Jese Rodriguez and Isco a start, while he kept Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric on the bench:
Here’s our starting line-up to face Rayo Vallecano! ????✅#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/W9z0vk9dCG
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 23, 2016
Per the UEFA Champions League’s official Twitter account, star forward Ronaldo missed the contest with a muscle strain.
Los Blancos nearly started the contest in emphatic fashion, as Bale hit the post from 25 yards out after just three minutes. Real took control of the ball early, but Rayo looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and with their first real chance, the hosts took the lead.
Bebe flew down the wing before turning a low cross into the box, and Embarba easily tapped home from close range.
Real looked shocked to have conceded so early, and defensively, Los Blancos were all over the place. Ramos’ leadership was clearly missed, and Rayo took full advantage, doubling their lead after 14 minutes.
Raphael Varane’s attempted clearance was far too lazy, and his header fell to Miku, who smashed home from close range. Per author Sid Lowe, the Vallecas nearly exploded:
Miku scores it. This place is going bonkers
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) April 23, 2016
The hosts continued to trouble Real’s defence, led by Manchester United flop Bebe, who used his speed and dribbling ability to …
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