MADRID, SPAIN — Kylian Mbappé emerged as Real Madrid's savior deep into stoppage time, converting a 90th-minute penalty to snatch a pulsating 2-1 victory over a resilient Rayo Vallecano side at the Santiago Bernabéu. The French forward's ice-cold spot-kick capped a frantic finale that saw the visitors reduced to nine men in a contest that tested Real Madrid's championship credentials to the limit.
The match exploded into life just four minutes after the restart when Jorge de Frutos silenced the home faithful with a clinical finish. The Rayo forward latched onto Álvaro García's perfectly weighted headed pass and slotted home from the center of the box to give the visitors a shock lead. It was a sucker punch that left Carlo Ancelotti's men reeling and set up a tense second half at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid had enjoyed the majority of possession at 56.7% and created the better chances throughout, but found Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla in inspired form. The visiting shot-stopper produced a string of crucial saves, denying Vinícius Júnior's effort in the 15th minute after good work from Brahim Díaz, then thwarting Arda Güler's attempt from a difficult angle on the right just four minutes later. Batalla's heroics continued as the clock ticked down, with the goalkeeper making four saves in total to keep his side's slender advantage intact.
The statistics reflected Real Madrid's dominance but also their frustration. The hosts registered 16 shots to Rayo's 11 and enjoyed nine corners compared to the visitors' four, yet found themselves chasing the game for much of the second period. The match grew increasingly fractious as Real Madrid pressed for an equalizer, with referee showing no hesitation in brandishing cards. The official was busy throughout, issuing eight yellow cards and two reds in what became a fiery affair.
The turning point arrived in the 80th minute when Rayo's Pathé Ciss saw red for a foul on Dani Ceballos in midfield, leaving the visitors to defend their lead with 10 men. Real Madrid sensed blood and laid siege to the Rayo goal, with Eduardo Camavinga striking the post from a corner in the 85th minute. Batalla continued his defiance, saving from Brahim Díaz moments later, but the pressure was relentless.
The drama reached fever pitch in stoppage time. First, Mbappé rattled the crossbar with a left-footed effort in the 68th minute during a swift counter-attack. Then, with nine minutes of added time announced, Real Madrid threw everything forward. Rodrygo's shot was saved in the 90th minute, and Brahim Díaz saw another effort blocked by the tireless Batalla in the 86th minute.
Justice finally arrived for the hosts in the 90th minute when Nobel Mendy brought down Brahim Díaz inside the penalty area. Mbappé stepped up with nerves of steel and dispatched the penalty low to the bottom left corner, sending Batalla the wrong way. The Bernabéu erupted as the French superstar wheeled away in celebration, his 12th league goal of the campaign proving decisive.
Rayo's misery was compounded in the 93rd minute when Pep Chavarría received a second yellow card for handball, reducing the visitors to nine men. Real Madrid pressed for a winner in the dying seconds, with Mbappé forcing one final save from Batalla in the 92nd minute, but the penalty had already done the damage.
The victory maintains Real Madrid's pursuit of the league leaders, with the three points keeping them second in the table on 45 points. For 10th-placed Rayo Vallecano, sitting on 22 points, it was a cruel ending to a performance full of heart and determination. The visitors' defensive discipline and Batalla's brilliance had threatened to produce a famous upset before the late collapse.
Real Madrid's attacking intent was evident throughout, with Federico Valverde pulling the strings in midfield and providing the assist for Mbappé's saved effort late on. Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler both showed flashes of brilliance, while Dani Ceballos' introduction added energy to the midfield battle. The hosts' persistence eventually paid dividends, though they rode their luck at times against a Rayo side who created 11 shots of their own.
The match will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion and the controversy that surrounded it. Real Madrid's ability to grind out results when not at their fluent best is the hallmark of champions, and this victory demonstrated their mental fortitude. Rayo Vallecano can take pride in their performance but will rue the indiscipline that cost them dearly in the final stages.
With the season reaching its business end, every point matters. Real Madrid host Espanyol on February 8, while Rayo Vallecano welcome Real Oviedo on the same day, both teams seeking to build momentum in their respective campaigns.