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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Nov 8, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Rayo Vallecano logo

5-1

Bale (9'), Ramos (40'), Kroos (55'), Benzema (59'), Ronaldo (83')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Bueno (44')

Five-star Real Madrid continue winning run

Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at the Bernabeu to regain their two-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Real Madrid have stretched their winning run in La Liga to eight games courtesy of a 5-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

The home side took the lead with nine minutes played through Gareth Bale, who marked his return to the starting lineup following an injury layoff by converting Toni Kroos's cross beyond Cristian Alvarez.

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

Despite their early lead, Madrid struggled to build on their advantage and found clear-cut chances hard to come by as the first half wore on, although that soon changed when James Rodriguez forced Alvarez into making a superb save to keep out his long-range drive.

Five minutes before the interval, Los Blancos, who have now won their last 13 games in all competitions, found their flow once more and came close to doubling the scoreline when Karim Benzema's header came back off the crossbar.

Sergio Ramos did manage to find a second to seemingly give his side some breathing space heading into the break - diverting a corner into the back of the net in an unorthodox manner using his thigh.

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their second goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

Madrid failed to hold onto their two-goal lead, however, with Leo Baptistao capitalising on James's weak back pass to set up Alberto Bueno for an easy finish to keep the game alive.

Carlo Ancelotti's charges found it easier going in the second half, and they put the game beyond their opponents with two goals in four minutes to assert their authority on proceedings.

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2014© Getty Images

First, Kroos added to his earlier assists by firing a sublime effort beyond Alvarez, before Benzema - who was standing in an offside position - nodded home Cristiano Ronaldo's cross to add a fourth.

Bale could not quite double his personal tally for the night with a volleyed-effort which came back off the bar, but Ronaldo put the icing on the cake with his 23rd goal of the season after Alvarez let the forward's shot squirm through his legs.

The victory sees Madrid regain their two-point lead at the top of La Liga, while Vallecano are now 12th having lost their last three games.

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Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring for Real Madrid against Levante on October 5, 2013.
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


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