Real Madrid vs Vallecano: Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both strike inside five minutes

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both scored within five minutes as Real Madrid established a first-half lead at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday – but the visitors replied before the break with Pedro Diaz’s first goal for the club.

Top scorer Mbappe entered the box on the left and lashed in from an acute angle to open the scoring in style in the 30th minute with his 28th goal of the season in all competitions.

Vinicius Junior then struck from inside the penalty area on the same side four minutes later after a remarkable run that saw the Brazil international head towards the corner flag before turning to charge inside and find the back of the net with a lightning display of footwork.

Just when Madrid fans would have been contemplating a comfortable half-time lead, midfielder Diaz completed a slick move from well inside Vallecano’s half by curling in via the crossbar from a central position on the edge of the box during added time.

Former Spain youth international Diaz joined Los Franjirrojos last summer after leaving French club Bordeaux.

Kylian Mbappé with the opener for Real Madrid against Rayo!

A lovely finish into the bottom corner from the Frenchman pic.twitter.com/N6bcfKKSdV

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Last Saturday’s defeat at Real Betis meant the reigning champions started Sunday in third, two points behind Atleti and three off leaders Barcelona.

They almost went ahead earlier when Vinicius Junior sent a shot against the woodwork, but Vallecano had more attempts as the seventh-placed side sought a 10th league win of the season.

Vallecano had taken points from five of the last eight meetings between the teams and knew they would go sixth in the table above Betis if they caused an upset.

Both teams wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was held before kick-off in memory of Barcelona first-team doctor Carles Minarro, who died on Saturday, and referee David Garcia de la Loma, who died on Tuesday following a long illness.

That is brilliant from Vini Jr!

A deflection may have helped him on the finish but it was all Vinicius to turn the Rayo defence inside out before that pic.twitter.com/SOV4GEIStX

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 9, 2025

Bellingham back for Madrid

England attacker Jude Bellingham was available after suspension for Madrid and started, with Luka Modric in midfield as captain.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti also brought in Andriy Lunin, David Alaba, Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia following Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The competition holders won 2-1 at home in the round of 16 first leg courtesy of a 55th-minute strike by Brahim Diaz, with the second leg on Wednesday (8pm GMT).

Vallecano were without banned right-winger Jorge de Frutos and were without several players because of injury, including forward Raul de Tomas.