Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Thibaut Courtois averts new ridicule
The Belgian made two stoppage time saves to ensure Karim Benzema's goal grabbed Madrid the points
Real Madrid came inches from throwing away three points against Rayo Vallecano but held on to go third in La Liga provisionally.
Real Madrid
1 ________________ 0
Rayo Vallecano
LINE UP
Real Madrid
Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Modric (Valverde, 92'), Marcos Llorente, Kroos, Lucas Vázquez, Benzema (Vinicius, 78') y Marco Asensio (Ceballos, 71').
Rayo Vallecano
Dimitrievski, Tito, Gálvez (Ba, 54'), Velázquez, Álex Moreno, Imbula, Comesaña, Medrán (Bebé, 54'), Advíncula, Embarba (Alegría, 73') y Álvaro.
Goles
1-0, Benzema (13').
Árbitro
De Burgos Bengoetxea (comité vasco). Amonestó a Gálvez (39') y Bebé (64').
Incidencias
Partido correspondiente a la decimosexta jornada de la Liga Santander disputado en el Santiago Bernabéu en presencia de 55.229 espectadores.
Karim Benzema’s goal after 13 minutes got them off to a good start.
However they failed to add to their lead, wasting various chances.
In the end Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to save the day with a double save in stoppage time.
The keeper saved Alex Alegria’s overhead hick before tipping Emiliano Velazquez’s effort to safety.
Gareth Bale missed the game with an ankle problem but strike partner Benzema scored, although he was also taken off injured later, along with Marco Asensio.
Madrid moved within two points of Barca, the leaders on 31 points, while Atletico Madrid are second, also with 31.
