Real Madrid return to winning ways with slim victory over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Re-live the action from the Bernabeu

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game (EPA)

Real Madrid put the Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow behind them with a hard-earned 1-0 derby win over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

Santiago Solari and his side had been jeered off after a 3-0 home defeat by the Russians in midweek, but produced the required result against their local rivals.

An early goal from Karim Benzema, who later went off injured, proved enough for victory, which moved Los Blancos up to third in the LaLiga table, two points off the top.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, though, had to make a smart double save in stoppage time to deny Rayo, who remain second bottom, a dramatic equaliser. Re-live the action below:

[15 December 2018 17:38 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano

6 minutes

To no one's surprise, Real are dominating the ball in the early stages. The visitors are content to sit deep and stay in their shape, although how successful that will prove remains to be seen.

[15 December 2018 17:40 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano

8 minutes

Marcelo has started well on the left, linking up with his teammates in the final third. He plays a perfectly weighted pass in behind the Rayo defence for Asensio, but the latter gets his control wrong and it runs out for a goal kick.

[15 December 2018 17:44 · Callum Rice-Coates]

GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (Benzema)

13 minutes

That didn't take long. Benzema starts the move and finishes it off. He plays a long ball out to Vazquez, who picks out the Frenchman as he runs into the box. The finish is a clinical one. Real lead and it's hardly surprising given the way the game has started.

[15 December 2018 17:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

16 minutes

Rayo have had a couple of chances since going behind. Velazquez has the best of them from a corner, but heads wide with time and space to pick his spot. Real look shaky at the back.

[15 December 2018 17:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

17 minutes

Asensio should make it 2-0. Kroos plays him in behind the Rayo defence, but he can't beat Dimitrevski one on one.

[15 December 2018 17:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

19 minutes

Rayo, if they continue to defend like this, could be on the end of a thrashing here. There's far too much space for Real to exploit, and they're doing it well. Marcelo and Kroos link up on the left and the ball is played across to Vazquez, who hits a volley goalwards. It's cleared off the line and Rayo escape - for now.

[15 December 2018 17:53 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

22 minutes

Another chance for Rayo defender Velazquez. He wins a header from a floated free kick, but there's not enough power on it to beat Courtois. 

[15 December 2018 17:56 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

25 minutes

Benzema finds space again and drills a ball across goal. It's cleared frantically, but it just keeps coming straight back at the Rayo defence. A second Real goal, at this point, feels like an inevitability.

[15 December 2018 17:59 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

28 minutes

Kroos and Modric are controlling things in midfield. That hasn't always been the case this season, but Real appear to be nearer their fluid best when going forward this evening. The question now is whether they can keep Rayo out at the other end.

[15 December 2018 18:04 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

32 minutes

A bit of a lull in the game over the last few minutes, which Rayo will welcome. The aim for them, as far as possible, will be to keep things tight until half time.