Error-prone Madrid miss chance to pressure Barça

Real Madrid paid for defensive mistakes as they were held to a 3-3 draw at lowly local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, missing the chance to move above leaders Barcelona in LaLiga.

Madrid are second on 37 points from 17 matches, one behind Barça who host Leganes on Sunday when Atlético Madrid, in third on 35 from 16 games, welcome Getafe. Rayo are 13th with 20 points.

Already missing France captain Kylian Mbappé with a leg muscle injury, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest talisman Vinícius Júnior from the start and Rayo Vallecano took a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to mistakes.

Rayo stunned the champions with a goalafter four minutes on counter when Jorge de Frutos ran past Fran García before crossing to the unmarked Unai López whose header at the far post beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

They extended their lead when Abdul Mumin was left alone behind Lucas Vázquez and nodded home from a corner in the 36th minute.

However, a thunderous Federico Valverde strike from long range got Madrid back in the game three minutes later with Rodrygo finding Jude Bellingham who netted a first-time effort from inside the box to level just before the break.

Rodrygo then almost scored with an angled shot that forced a reflex save from Augusto Batalla just after the break.

But the Brazil international was not to be denied and in the 56th gave Real the lead with a deflected strike from the edge of the area.

Ancelotti brought on Vinícius Júnior to provide a spark Real were missing and Batalla made a fine save to deny him, with Arda Güler having a goal ruled out for offside minutes later.

Madrid looked in control and appealed for a penalty for a foul on Vinícius Júnior which was waved away before Rayo stunned them again when Isi Palazón moved between defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni to deflect a cross into the net.

Ancelotti's side tried to push for the win but Batalla denied efforts from Vinícius Júnior and substitute Endrick, with Rudiger missing a clear chance late on as Madrid had to settle for a draw that could prove costly in the title race.