Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano recap - Kylian Mbappe scores 100th minute penalty against nine-man Rayo to seal important three points

Kylian Mbappe’s penalty in the tenth minute of stoppage time saw Real Madrid close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to a single point after a fiery encounter against Madrid rivals Rayo Vallecano ended in a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side were aiming to bounce back from midweek disappointment against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, but they left it late as nine-man Rayo Vallecano dug in deep.

Real Madrid had previously dropped points on the road against Rayo Vallecano in November and things looked to be heading in the same direction, when Jorge de Frotos’ strike after half-time cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s stunning opener, before Kylian Mbappe rescued all three points at the death.

There was a lively start to the game as Vinicius Junior was unable to find a white shirt when he sent in a low dangerous cross into the six-yard box, whilst in Real’s half, Illias Akhomach managed to wriggle his way into the box to see his effort go narrowly wide of the post.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side were dealt an early blow when Jude Bellingham pulled up inside eight minutes with a hamstring injury, with the England international forced to go off.

Despite efforts from the visitors to catch the 36-time champions off-guard, it was a stroke of individual brilliance by Vinicius Junior, which put Real Madrid ahead inside 15 minutes and broke the deadlock.

A frightening counter-attack sparked by substitute Brahim Diaz played in the Brazilian, who danced his way into the box before unleashing a spectacular effort into the top right corner to seal his sixth league goal of the season.

Rayo would start the second half with a new fire to them as Gerard Gumbau forced Thibaut Courtois into a save shortly after the restart, before brilliant play from the visitors would see Alvaro Garcia head the ball to Jorge de Frutos to fire home.

Inigno Perez’s side had a chance to take the lead for the first time in the 90 minutes when pacey Andrei Ratiu was played through on goal after a brilliant break from inside their own half, with Courtois forced to come out and make the block.

Mbappe also had a chance to get his name on the scoresheet from open play when Real broke forward in the 69th minute, with Augusto Batalla deciding to abandon his goal. Despite an open goal awaiting the Frenchman, who had already scored 36 goals this season, Mbappe would be denied by the crossbar.

In a fiery closing stages, Rayo were reduced to ten-men when Pathe Ciss caught Dani Ceballos, with a studs-up challenge, which sparked a devastating phase of play for the Spanish giants, with Eduardo Camavinga’s header hitting the upright and Batalla forced to block Rodrygo’s effort straight at the Argentine goalkeeper.

The turning point would come in the 98th minute of stoppage time when Nobel Mendy swinging leg caught Brahim Diaz, seeing the referee point to the spot, with Kylian Mbappe delivering heartbreak as he sent the Rayo goalkeeper the wrong way to put Real Madrid back in front.

Further drama saw Rayo reduced to nine-men as Pep Chavarria picked up his second booking of the match for a needless push on Rodrygo as the clock ticked over 13 minutes of added time.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side close the gap on title rivals Barcelona to just the single point with Los Blancos next in action against Valencia on Sunday, February 8. Whilst their Madrid rivals Rayo Vallecano drop to 17th and just a point off the bottom three.

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Another red card for Rayo as Pep Chavarria is booked for the second time for a push on Rodrygo.

Very needless and questionable decision from the Rayo man.

Heartbreak for Rayo but a massive goal in the title race as Kylian Mbappe steps up and sends Batalla the wrong way to slot into the bottom left corner.

Pacha Espino is booked for dissent.

MASSIVE!

It's a clear penalty as Nobel Mendy swings his leg at Brahim Diaz, who turns on the ball just inside of the box.

Rayo are thankfully back to ten men and they need it.

Rodrygo has the best opportunity to steal all three points for Real Madrid but he fires his shot straight at Batalla.

Real Madrid are throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at this and Rayo are having to dig deep.

There's a break in play as a Rayo player is treated for cramp and the visitors are down to nine-men at the moment.

Interesting.

And it's woken up the home crowd, who greet the announcement with a loud cheer.

Can either team make it count?

It's all Real Madrid right now - and if you're just joining us, I can assure you that it hasn't been the case for the whole of the 90 minutes.

The ball bounces around the box as Mbappe is the latest player to attempt to threaten the Rayo goal.

This is going to be relentless for 10-man Rayo.

Close!

Dani Ceballos has been excellent since he came on at half-time and he sets up Eduardo Camavinga, who directs his header towards goal, only to be denied by the upright.

Illias Akhomach comes off for Carlos Martin and Luiz Felipe replaces Isi Palazon.

There appears to be a disagreement on the pitch and whilst this might not be the big Madrid derby we all know and love, tensions are high.

Vinicius Junior is booked and will miss the next game against Valencia, whilst Illias Akhomach is also booked.

Augusto Batalla, the Rayo goalkeeper, is booked.

He was on the ground just moments ago, but he's almost put his side back ahead with an effort from a set piece from just outside of the box.

It goes just wide of the post.

Pathe Ciss is shown a straight red for a nasty challenge on Dani Ceballos.

The Rayo man doesn't seem to believe it but you can rarely argue with that kind of tackle as his studs go into the ankle of Ceballos.

Rayo have another corner but once again, it's poor from Akhomach and easily cleaned up by white shirts.

Elsewhere, it's time to change things up.

Rodrygo and David Alaba come on for Real Madrid, replacing Arda Guler and Dean Huijsen.

Whilst Pacha Espino replaces Alvaro Garcia for Rayo Vallecano.

Seconds after Ratiu's backheel inside the box fails to find a black and yellow shirt, Real spark a counter and go Vinicius Junior strides into Rayo's half, before being cut out by Oscar Valentin, who is booked for the interception.

That had to be Real's second of the game.

Rayo fail to capitalise on another corner as Real break forward. Augusto Batalla abandons his box as Rayo are left vulnerable, which leaves just the goal for Kylian Mbappe, but incredibly, he's hit the woodwork.

Those whistles aren't getting any quieter.