Real Madrid experienced a setback in its Spanish league campaign with a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano, marking the first match since news broke about Kylian Mbappé’s impending departure from Paris Saint-Germain. The draw, while keeping Madrid six points clear of second-place Girona, raises questions about the team’s focus amid renewed talks of signing the French star.
Joselu gave Madrid an early lead just three minutes into the match, but Rayo Vallecano leveled the score with a penalty kick from Raúl de Tomás in the 27th minute. Despite maintaining an unbeaten streak of 19 league games, Madrid fell short of securing a victory against a Rayo team that had struggled in previous league matches.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, addressing concerns about the impact of Mbappé rumors on the team, emphasized Madrid’s consistent performance throughout the season. However, the draw highlights the challenges of staying atop the league, especially with key players like Jude Bellingham sidelined due to injury.
In another league record, last-place Almeria extended its winless streak to 28 games, drawing 1-1 against Granada. Almeria now holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first team to go 28 straight games without a league win, underlining the struggles faced by the team.
As the Spanish league unfolds, the focus turns to how Real Madrid will navigate the rest of the season, with the anticipation of further developments in the Mbappé saga and challenges from competitors like Girona and Barcelona. The draw against Rayo Vallecano serves as a reminder that every match carries significant weight in the pursuit of the league title.
