Miku twists and turns just inside the Real penalty area as he tries to get a shot away, but he's quickly crowded out by black shirts and is eventually dispossessed by Marcelo, bringing an end to what will surely be their final attack of the game.
90' +2
Hernandez immediately gets involved in the action, breaking into the right-hand side of the penalty area before trying to cut the ball back to Ronaldo, but the attempted pass is cut out at the vital moment by Ze Castro.
90' +1
J. Hernández enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
And now Real have made their final substitution, with Bale making way for Hernandez for the final few moments of the game.
90'
Nacho enters the game and replaces J. Rodríguez.
Real have made their second change of the game, with Nacho coming on to take the place of Rodriguez.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
89'
What a chance for Tito! The ball pinballs around the Real penalty area before eventually dropping at the feet of the right-back, who is completely unmarked on the edge of the box, but somehow he ends up sending his half-volleyed strike well wide of its intended target.
88'
Real are only able to half clear the danger before the ball finds Nacho, who fires in another impressive cross from the left wing. This time it meets Miku, but, again, Casillas is able to stop the substitute's headed effort.
87'
Great save by Casillas! A wonderful cross from Nacho finds Manucho in the middle of the Real penalty area, but the goalkeeper gets down well to push the effort round the post for a corner.
85'
Isco almost makes it three! Bale breaks through the Rayo back line before rounding Cobeno and cutting the ball back to the substitute, but the goalkeeper does well to rush back and keep out the resulting shot with a strong save.
83'
It's all Real at the moment but, unsurprisingly, they seem content to hold onto the ball as they look to keep their two-goal lead intact.
81'
J. Aquino enters the game and replaces Adri Embarba.
Rayo have made their final change of the evening, with Embarba making way for Aquino.
Minute
Description
79'
Ronaldo does well to find space on the left wing before firing a dangerous cross towards Manucho at the back post, but it's sent too near to Casillas, who is easily able to collect the ball.
77'
Rayo are desperately pushing forward as they look to find a way back into the game, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to beat Real's back line, who now seem content to sit back and defend their two-goal lead.
75'
Real patiently pass the ball around midway inside the Rayo half of the pitch before it eventually finds Kroos, who, in acres of space 25 yards out, decides to fire a fierce strike that flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
73'
J. Rodríguez has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
GOAL! It's 2-0! Ronaldo charges towards the edge of the penalty area before teeing up Rodriguez, who takes a quick touch before curling an excellent strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal to double the visitors' lead.
72'
Isco enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Real have decided to make their first substitution of the game, with Isco coming on to take the place of Benzema for the final 20 minutes.
71'
Thumping strike from Nacho! Real fail to clear the danger fully, allowing the defender to pick up the ball once again before firing a great 25-yard shot that Casillas is just about able to parry away with a strong save.
70'
Nacho works his way down the left wing before curling a dangerous cross into the heart of the Real penalty area, but Ramos does well to clear the danger with a strong header.
69'
M. Fedor enters the game and replaces Alberto Bueno.
Rayo have made their second change of the evening, with Bueno coming off to be replaced by Miku.
68'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Dani Carvajal.
GOAL! Real have finally taken the lead! Carvajal embarks on a great run down the right flank, beating Embarba with ease before sending in a great cross that Ronaldo is able to nod into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
67'
Modric picks up the ball near the halfway line before immediately sending a great lofted pass into the path of Ronaldo, but, once again, the Portuguese forward is just a yard or two offside.
65'
Excellent strike by Rodriguez! Marcelo cuts inside from the left wing before finding the Colombian, who beats three Rayo players on the edge of the penalty area before firing a great shot that flies just over the top of the crossbar.
64'
The resulting set-piece is flung towards the near post but fails to beat the first man before the danger is cleared by Manucho.
63'
Antonio Amaya gets yellow.
Bale sprints down the right flank before being clattered by a lunging challenge from Amaya near the corner flag, resulting in a yellow card for the defender and a free kick for Real.
61'
Cobeño gets yellow.
The referee decides that Cobeno is taking far too long with his goal kicks, so he shows the goalkeeper a yellow card as a result.
60'
Kroos and Rodriguez link up well in the middle of the pitch before the latter almost finds Ronaldo with a great through-ball, but Amaya darts across the penalty area to cut out the pass at the vital moment.
59'
Marcelo pushes forward down the left wing before trying to find Ronaldo with a lofted pass from the halfway line, but he fails to strike it cleanly and it can only find the hands of Cobeno.
57'
Jozabed enters the game and replaces M. Fatau.
Rayo have decided to make their first substitution of the game, with Jozabed coming on to take the place of Fatau.
56'
And now Bale goes close after cutting inside from the right flank and firing a great strike that also ends up missing the far post by the narrowest of margins.
55'
What a strike by Marcelo! Real patiently pass the ball around the edge of the Rayo penalty area before the defender unleashes an excellent shot that beats Cobeno before flying just wide of the far post.
54'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
Carvajal becomes the latest Real player to pick up a yellow card after clattering into Nacho 30 yards away from goal.
52'
G. Bale gets yellow.
And now Bale enters the referee's book for a poor challenge on Nacho midway inside the Real half of the pitch.
51'
Cristiano Ronaldo gets yellow.
T. Kroos gets yellow.
Ronaldo goes down in the penalty area but is booked for diving! He breaks into the Rayo box after meeting an excellent through-ball from Rodriguez and is seemingly brought to the ground by a rash challenge from Amaya, but, somehow, the referee ends up booking to Portuguese forward instead of awarding a penalty to Real.
All of the Real players are extremely angry with the referee's decision, and, as a result, Kroos receives a yellow card for dissent.
50'
Nacho darts forward through the space left in the middle of the pitch by the Real midfield before unleashing a long-range strike that flies into the sea of black shirts camped on the edge of the penalty area.
48'
Great chance for Bale! Rodriguez picks up the ball on the left wing before sending a dangerous cross into the Rayo penalty area. It meets the head of Bale just inside the box but he ends up sending his effort on goal a few yards wide of the far post.
47'
Embarba immediately sprints down the left flank, beating Carvajal before curling a brilliant cross into the heart of the penalty area, but Kakuta ends up fouling Marcelo as he jumps in the air to meet the ball.
46'
And we're underway once again!
44'
Nacho Martínez gets yellow.
Nacho becomes the second player to receive a yellow card after a cynical pull on Modric as the Croatian was attempting to break away on a quick counter attack.
43'
What a save by Casillas! Fatau finds Tito in acres of space on the right flank, and the defender then curls an absolutely brilliant deep cross towards the back post. It meets Trashorras, who is completely unmarked, but his strong header is beaten away by the Real goalkeeper.
41'
The resulting set-piece is whipped towards the edge of the six-yard box by Rodriguez, where it finds Ronaldo, but he ends up sending his bullet header well over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
40'
Tito gets yellow.
Tito cynically pulls Ronaldo from behind, resulting in a yellow card for the right-back.
39'
Rodriguez finds Bale on the right-hand side of the penalty area with a deft pass, and the Welshman then tries to quickly tee up Benzema, but his pass is poorly hit and is easily cut out by Nacho.
37'
Real are enjoying a good spell of possession at the moment, but they're finding it incredibly difficult to find a way past Rayo's resolute and well-organised defensive line, which has been excellent so far.
35'
Almost a terrible mistake by Kakuta! The Frenchman sends an extremely risky back-pass towards Cobeno that almost presents Benzema with an easy opportunity to make it 1-0 to Real, but the Rayo goalkeeper is just about able to dart out and clear the danger at the vital moment.
33'
Rayo almost take the lead! The hosts win themselves a corner, which is flung towards the near post. It takes two deft deflections, the latter of which comes off the thigh of Manucho, before flying towards the back of the net, but Casillas does well to keep it out with a strong save.
32'
Tito and Bueno link up well on the right wing before the latter tries to curl a deep cross onto the head of Manucho, but it's slightly overhit and ends up flying just over the top of the striker's head before being thumped away from danger by Carvajal.
30'
Modric wins possession in the middle of the pitch before quickly setting up Ronaldo, who sprints into the right-hand side of the penalty area before being muscled off the ball well by Nacho.
28'
Excellent play again by Embarba! The winger picks up the ball in acres of space and beats Carvajal before sending a wonderful cross into the heart of the penalty area, but it ends up missing Manucho by the narrowest of margins before being cleared by Ramos.
26'
Marcelo darts forward into the Rayo half of the pitch before teeing up Benzema, who then tries to play a quick one-two with Ronaldo. However, it's unsuccessful and the Portuguese forward then concedes a free kick after tripping Trashorras from behind.
24'
Bale scores, but it's offside! Again, Modric sends an abolutely wonderful lofted pass over the top of the Rayo defence and into the path of the Welshman, who then volleys the ball past Cobeno from just inside the penalty area, but his run was slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is immediately raised.
22'
Bueno spins round Kroos in the middle of the pitch and immediately sends a brilliant through-ball past Varane and into the path of Manucho, but Casillas does well to dart out and clear the danger before it can meet the striker on the edge of the penalty area.
20'
J. Rodríguez gets yellow.
Real deal with the danger well and break away quickly, but their attack comes to a disappointing end before Rodriguez is shown a yellow card for a deliberate handball that stops Rayo from embarking on a swift counter attack.
19'
Manucho uses his strength well to win back possession just outside of the Real penalty area before teeing up Embarba, who breaks into the box and wins yet another corner for the hosts, who are currently causing Real plenty of problems.
17'
Embarba battles fiercely with Carvajal on the left wing before sending in an excellent cross that almost finds the head of Manucho in front of goal before bouncing out to the opposite flank.
15'
Again, Bueno finds space on the edge of the penalty area and forces Casillas into making a strong diving save after firing a great bouncing shot from 20 yards out.
14'
Rodriguez and Marcelo play a series of wonderful passes between one another before the latter tries to find Ronaldo on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the ball from the defender is intercepted brilliantly by Amaya, who darts across the box to cut out the danger.
12'
Rayo immediately push forward after the restart, with Bueno doing well to find space on the left flank. He then cuts inside before firing a dangerous bouncing shot that beats Casillas before missing the far post by the narrowest of margins.
11'
Modric finds Carvajal with an absolutely excellent cross-field pass, and the right-back then darts forward to the byline before cutting the ball back to Rodriguez. The Colombian, who is completely unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, immediately unleashes a fierce low shot that is saved well by Cobeno.
10'
Great play by Kakuta! The on-loan Frenchman sprints through the middle of the pitch, twisting and turning around Kroos before firing a 25-yard strike that ends up flying just past the near post.
9'
What a chance for Ronaldo! Rodriguez darts towards the edge of the penalty area before sending an excellent cross over to the Portuguese forward, but he ends up sending his first-time volley just wide of the far post.
7'
Real patiently pass the ball around in the middle of the pitch before Rodriguez tries to find Benzema with a quick lofted pass forward, but it's completely mishit and ends up bouncing out of play for a goal kick.
5'
The resulting set-piece is flung into the heart of the penalty area, where it pinballs around before meeting Amaya. The defender tries to beat Casillas with a quick header from 10 yards out but it's poorly struck and ends up being comfortably stopped by the Real goalkeeper.
4'
Bueno steps up and fires the resulting free kick into the wall in front of him, but does well to regain possession from the rebound. He then twists and turns on the left wing before forcing Carvajal into playing the ball out of play for a Rayo corner.
3'
And now Varane accidentally handles the ball whilst battling for possession, this time in a dangerous position 30 yards away from the Real goal.
2'
Bale immediately darts down the right flank before curling a dangerous deep cross towards the back post. It meets Ronaldo but he ends up accidentally using his arm to control the ball, resulting in a free kick for Rayo on the edge of their own six-yard box.
1'
And we're off! Real get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today's La Liga clash between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid. My name is Ben Cullimore and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Real head into tonight's all-Madrid clash in the wake of a 9-1 hammering of struggling Granada, but Sunday's emphatic victory is one of just a few positive moments in what has been a rather disappointing month for last season's third-place finishers, who have only won two of their last five La Liga games, their worst run of form since the end of last season. As a result, they now sit four points behind Barcelona, who are currently in action against Almeria, whilst local rivals Atletico Madrid are just two points back in third place, although they have a game in hand over Carlo Ancelotti's men. As a result, a victory this evening is desperately needed if they are to keep the pressure firmly on the league leaders as they head into the final stretch of the campaign.
As for Rayo, they have looked full of confidence in recent weeks and face their Madrid neighbours at quite possibly the best time of the season. With four wins from their last five league games (the last three of which have all come in consecutive clashes) they currently sit in a very respectable ninth place in the table, one point ahead of Real Sociedad - and with a game in hand over David Moyes' men - and just one behind Athletic Bilbao. A win tonight, no matter how improbable it may seem, would see Los Franjirrojos win four games in a row for the first time in almost two-and-a-half years, whilst it would also be their first victory against Real since February 1997.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Rayo Vallecano XI (4-2-3-1): Alvarez; Tito, Amaya, Ze Castro, Nacho; Trashorras, Fatau; Embarba, Bueno, Kakuta; Manucho.
Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Real Madrid substitutes: Navas, Coentrao, Nacho, Illarramendi, Jese, Isco, Hernandez.
Paco Jemez has made four changes to the Rayo side that started against Eibar in their last league outing, with Ze Castro, Nacho, Mohammed Fatau and Roberto Trashorras coming into the squad to replace Abdoulaye Ba, Emiliano Insua, Raul Baena and Jozabed, respectively.
Meanwhile, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has decided to make just one alteration to the side that started the win against Granada, with the suspended Alvaro Arbeloa making way for Daniel Carvajal.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: RAYO VALLECANO 0-0 REAL MADRID
It's been a brilliant opening 45 minutes for Rayo, who will no doubt head into the half-time break the happier of the two sides after putting in an excellent performance at both ends of the pitch. As a result, they have arguably bossed the game, causing the Real defence plenty of problems and going close to opening the scoring with three good efforts on goal. The visitors have looked bright on a few occasions but have been largely quiet, and they will be well aware that big changes need to be made if they are to finally find the back of the net in the second half.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: RAYO VALLECANO 0-2 REAL MADRID
In the end, Real leave with three much-needed points, but they were made to work extremely hard by a Rayo side that for long periods of the game looked like the better team. After dominating the first half, the hosts started to tire in the second, which allowed the visitors to show their class, and after Ronaldo's opening goal it never looked likely that Los Blancos were going to come away with anything less than a victory.
As a result of the win, Real, who next face struggling Eibar on Saturday, remain four points behind league leaders Barcelona in second place, whilst Rayo, who face a trip to eleventh-place Celta de Vigo this weekend, stay sandwiched between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad in ninth.
My name is Ben Cullimore and it's been an absolute pleasure describing all of the action to you this evening. Until next time, goodbye!
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