MX23RW : Sunday, January 12 02:39:46| >> :120:21557:21557:
[monks data]
Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Nov 8, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Rayo Vallecano logo

5-1

Bale (9'), Ramos (40'), Kroos (55'), Benzema (59'), Ronaldo (83')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Bueno (44')

Five-star Real Madrid continue winning run

Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at the Bernabeu to regain their two-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Real Madrid have stretched their winning run in La Liga to eight games courtesy of a 5-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

The home side took the lead with nine minutes played through Gareth Bale, who marked his return to the starting lineup following an injury layoff by converting Toni Kroos's cross beyond Cristian Alvarez.

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

Despite their early lead, Madrid struggled to build on their advantage and found clear-cut chances hard to come by as the first half wore on, although that soon changed when James Rodriguez forced Alvarez into making a superb save to keep out his long-range drive.

Five minutes before the interval, Los Blancos, who have now won their last 13 games in all competitions, found their flow once more and came close to doubling the scoreline when Karim Benzema's header came back off the crossbar.

Sergio Ramos did manage to find a second to seemingly give his side some breathing space heading into the break - diverting a corner into the back of the net in an unorthodox manner using his thigh.

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their second goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

Madrid failed to hold onto their two-goal lead, however, with Leo Baptistao capitalising on James's weak back pass to set up Alberto Bueno for an easy finish to keep the game alive.

Carlo Ancelotti's charges found it easier going in the second half, and they put the game beyond their opponents with two goals in four minutes to assert their authority on proceedings.

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

First, Kroos added to his earlier assists by firing a sublime effort beyond Alvarez, before Benzema - who was standing in an offside position - nodded home Cristiano Ronaldo's cross to add a fourth.

Bale could not quite double his personal tally for the night with a volleyed-effort which came back off the bar, but Ronaldo put the icing on the cake with his 23rd goal of the season after Alvarez let the forward's shot squirm through his legs.

The victory sees Madrid regain their two-point lead at the top of La Liga, while Vallecano are now 12th having lost their last three games.

ID:187302: cacheID:187302:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6249:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring for Real Madrid against Levante on October 5, 2013.
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Madrid hold slender interval lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1am
Steelers
@
Ravens
6pm
Broncos
@
Bills
9.30pm
Packers
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona197472725225
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196752123-225
11Osasuna186752327-425
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
15Leganes194781829-1119
16AlavesAlaves194592131-1017
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Valencia1927101829-1113
20Real ValladolidValladolid1933121337-2412


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!