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 18:44 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

57 minutes

Carvajal plays the ball into space for Asensio to run onto. He knocks the ball forward and races after it, but Llorente, who is offside, gets there before him.

[15 December 2018 18:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

59 minutes

A Rayo corner is headed out to Bebe, who has a go from 30 yards out. Predictably, it flies over and wide of Courtois' goal.

[15 December 2018 18:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

62 minutes

Asensio latches onto a loose pass and embarks on a weaving run towards the box. His progress is eventually interrupted, but Real continue to probe. They know that the fans expect more than one goal.

[15 December 2018 18:51 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

64 minutes

Bebe has certainly been involved since his introduction. He tries to beat Modric by knocking the ball past him, but gets it wrong. Then he fouls Kroos and goes into the box.

[15 December 2018 18:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

65 minutes

Real have a goal disallowed. Kroos curls in a free kick, which Ramos meets and nods into the far corner. The flag is up, though, and Real are left frustrated.

[15 December 2018 18:55 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

68 minutes

Much better from Bebe, who has another shot from distance. He strikes it well and brings a save from Courtois. It needed strong hands from the Belgian.

[15 December 2018 18:57 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

70 minutes

It's all a bit flat from a Real Madrid perspective. After the CSKA defeat last week, tonight's game was an opportunity to make a statement. They haven't really done that. 

[15 December 2018 18:58 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

71 minutes

Real make their first change: Ceballos is on for Asensio. 

[15 December 2018 18:59 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

73 minutes

Now Rayo make another substitution: Embarba is off, Alegria on.

[15 December 2018 19:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

73 minutes

Benzema feeds Modric, who bursts into the box. The Ballon d'Or winner hits it on the run, but he's off balance and slices it high and wide.