Rayo Vallecano hold Real Madrid to frustrating goalless draw

La Liga leaders Real Madrid were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, missing a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, though they remain five points clear for now.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Xabi Alonso’s side, who managed just five shots on target as Rayo became the first team this season to keep a clean sheet against the league leaders.

Despite boasting a star-studded line-up led by Kylian Mbappe and Vinícius Júnior, Real struggled to find any attacking rhythm at the Estadio de Vallecas, where they have now failed to win for four consecutive seasons.

Rayo’s goalkeeper, Augusto Batalla, was the hero of the match, pulling off several vital saves to deny Madrid, while the home side’s disciplined defending earned them a valuable point.

Mbappe, La Liga’s top scorer with 13 goals, endured a quiet afternoon — restricted to just one shot — as Real’s attack lacked sharpness and creativity.

The draw gives Barcelona an opportunity to cut the gap to three points when they face Celta Vigo later on Sunday. Rayo, meanwhile, stay 12th on 15 points after another resilient display.

Analysts and fans were quick to question Real Madrid’s positional play, with football commentator Kiyan Sobhani noting:

“When you need players in between the lines or in the box, they’re not there. When the ball is far away from those zones, they’re in those positions you needed them earlier. Positionally, this team has suffered regression.”

Despite dominating possession, Los Blancos rarely looked threatening. Castilla graduate Jorge De Frutos came closest for Rayo, firing just over the bar in the second half, while Madrid failed to muster any serious response.