Real Madrid defeats Rayo Vallecano, ties Barcelona atop La Liga

Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior scoring to help the team draw level with La Liga leaders Barcelona. The win allowed Madrid to move ahead of Atletico Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Getafe earlier in the day, leaving only one point separating the top three clubs in the league. Carlo Ancelotti praised his team's performance, emphasizing the importance of strong defense after taking the lead. Mbappe's goal marked a milestone, as he became one of the few players to score 29 or more goals in his debut season with the club, joining an elite group that includes Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players are now among the top performers in La Liga, highlighting their contributions to Real Madrid's title challenge as they prepare for a crucial Champions League match against Atletico. Rayo Vallecano, despite missing key players, managed to score late in the first half but could not equalize.