Real Madrid waste golden opportunity as Rayo Vallecano hold them to a draw

Real Madrid throw away an opportunity to climb above Barcelona in the league table as the holders dropped two points to Rayo Vallecano in a six-goal thriller.

The home side celebrated early as Rayo Vallecano were up two goals a more than halfway through the first half thanks to headers from Unai Lopez and Abdul Mumin.

Despite looking a little lackluster in the opening half, Real Madrid responded quickly as Federico Valverde responded for the visitors with a strike from long-range. With that goal, it was inevitable before Real Madrid got an equalizer.

Again, they wouldn't have to wait long as Jude Bellingham headed in the equalizer in the 45th minute. It took less than 10 minutes for Real Madrid to turn the game completely around.

The second half begun similarly how the first ended with Real Madrid creating danger in the Rayo Vallecano half. Things eventually paid off when Rodrygo's effort found the back of the net with some help from a slight deflection.

Down 2-0 to up 2-3, normally one would expect Real Madrid to go for a fourth and put some distance between themselves and Rayo Vallecano. But the home side continued playing their game and they were rewarded in the 64th minute when Isi toe-poked a cross from the left, deflecting off Thibaut Courtois' leg before hitting the back of the net.

Still, with Vinicius Junior on the pitch, it seemed a matter of time before Madrid took the lead again. Especially with their recent run of form where they might give up a goal here or there but they'll respond quickly before pulling out the win.

But that didn't happen this time as Rayo Vallecano's backline held though catching a few breaks as Madrid felt they should have had at least one penalty call go in their favor.

In the end, it was Rayo Vallecano who almost got the win when they were awarded a free-kick in the final seconds of stoppage time. Courtois managed to block it though leaving a rebound that, fortunately for him and Madrid, wasn't pounced on by Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid, after clawing back from two goals down to take the lead, were forced to settle for a draw. The draw sees them stay a point behind Barcelona who play Leganes on Sunday. Should the Catalan side win, Madrid will find themselves four points back in the title race. A title race that both sides seem unable to take advantage for too long when the other side slips up.