Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano: Benzema's 10th of the season wins it
The French forward's strike from close range proved decisive as Rayo scrapped with their neighbours
Real Madrid moved top of La Liga with a narrow win over neighbours Rayo Vallecano. Again, it wasn't pretty, but Carlo Ancelotti's side have been grinding out results.
Toni Kroos put the finishing touch on a fine move for the opener in the 14th minute, with Karim Benzema’s second later proving decisive.
Radamel Falcao headed home for Rayo but they could not find the second goal they needed to take something from the game.
Benzema and Vinicius both had goals ruled out by VAR but the technology helped Madrid for Kroos’s opener, showing the officials that there was no offside in the move.
Benzema tucked home David Alaba’s cross for his 10th league goal of the season just before the break to give Ancelotti’s team a comfortable lead.
However, the second half was tighter, moreso after Falcao scored. Kroos cleared off the line in the final stages.
Madrid have 27 points from 12 games. Sevilla can join them if they beat rivals Real Betis on Sunday night.
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