Madrid run close by lowly Rayo Vallecano
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Article summary
Three goals up, Real Madrid CF were given a fright by Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, who cut their arrears through two penalties and might have gained an unlikely point but for Diego López.
Article top media content
Article body
Real Madrid CF withstood a second-half fightback from lowly Rayo Vallecano de Madrid to win 3-2 at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas and stay in touch at the top of the table.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were coasting towards three points when Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second and the Merengues' third three minutes into the second half, turning in Gareth Bale's cut-back. Bale had crossed for Karim Benzema to head in number two just after the half-hour mark, Ronaldo having fired Madrid in front early on.
However, two quick-fire penalties from Jonathan Viera cut the visitors' lead and only a full-stretch save by Diego López, tipping Alberto Bueno's shot onto a post, denied Paco Jémez's men an equaliser. The Whites are two points behind their other city rivals – Club Atlético de Madrid, who play Athletic Club on Sunday – and six shy of leaders FC Barcelona.
Madrid's fellow UEFA Champions League participants, Real Sociedad de Fútbol, cruised to their third victory in four Liga outings, defeating CA Osasuna 5-0. Jon Ansotegi, Iñigo Martínez and Gonzalo Castro were among those on target with their first goals of the season.
UD Almería moved off the bottom at the expense of Rayo Vallecano thanks to a 1-0 triumph over Real Valladolid CF. Sevilla FC host RC Celta de Vigo in the late fixture.
