Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid thrashed Rayo Vallecano 4-1 yesterday to join Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table.
Jose Mourinho’s side bounced back to winning ways after a setback by Real Betis in their previous top-flight appearance with a comprehensive victory against neighbours Rayo, reports AFP.
Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras scored for Real Madrid with Sergio Camello replying for the visitors early in the second half.
Champions Barcelona visit Levante on Sunday hoping to go 100 percent in the campaign and re-establish their lead over Madrid.
By half-time Mourinho’s side were three goals ahead over Rayo.
“It was important to win especially after losing the last game in La Liga,” Mourinho said Real Madrid TV.
“We killed the game in the first half, that’s not easy, working like we did after the Champions League game, not just physically but mentally.
Los Blancos went ahead in the 14th minute from the spot after Carreras was brought down by the clumsy Lejeune. Mbappe converted from the spot, sending Rayo stopper Emil Audero the wrong way.
The second goal was created by the French striker, following a giveaway by Lejeune under pressure from Vinicius Junior. Carreras and Mbappe combined and smashed it home.
Club record signing Yan Diomande had the first start in Madrid and raced inside from the right wing with a quick move that left Rayo’s defence scrambling but blazed his effort high and wide.
Vinicius went down the left and cut the ball back for Bellingham to get Madrid’s third goal and his third of the season, with the England international in great form to start the season.
Earlier this week, Mourinho came to the defence of Vinicius when he was jeered by some Real Madrid fans in their Champions League triumph against Inter Milan.
Madrid sought a fourth as Mbappe rattled a shot from distance against the post, while Pedro Diaz forced a rare save from Thibaut Courtois at the other end, the Belgian with a strong hand to push away his effort.
Rayo had an early second-half foothold at the Santiago Bernabeu but Diaz hit the post.
Mbappe, who made his case for the Ballon d’Or this week, almost doubled his tally with a low effort.
Vinicius lost possession under siege from Camello and Rayo grabbed a goal back in the 51st minute when the forward pushed the ball past Courtois.
It was the Spanish forward’s sixth goal of the campaign, putting him level with Barcelona’s Raphinha and Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts.
Benat San Jose’s side, 15th, had more chances to net, but Courtois thwarted Giorgi Tsitaishvili’s shot and Lejeune’s attempt.
Mourinho introduced Turkish midfielder Arda Guler to try to recover some control.
“Arda is very good, he has a lot of quality, he influences the team in a positive way and today he made a difference in terms of the stability of the game,” Mourinho stated.
Guler set up Mbappe’s fourth for Madrid in stoppage time, finishing low and across goal in devastating fashion.
That was Mbappe’s eighth goal of the season across all competitions.
“It was a shame to concede the (early) penalty and then we made another mistake in bringing the ball out,” Rayo coach San Jose remarked.
“I think we could have got a goal in the first half as well but it’s true they were better…
“We have to congratulate Madrid, but I am proud of the players because the second half was much better”
Real Madrid visit Elche on Tuesday while Rayo Vallecano entertain Espanyol.
Earlier yesterday Racing Santander won 2-1 away against third-placed Alaves, Espanyol triumphed 2-0 at Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at home to Elche.
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