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02/01 10:58 CST Mbapp's last-gasp penalty lifts Real Madrid to 2-1 win over
Rayo Vallecano in Spanish league
Mbapp's last-gasp penalty lifts Real Madrid to 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano in
Spanish league
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Kylian Mbapp came through for Real Madrid again, converting a
penalty kick 10 minutes into stoppage time to salvage a 2-1 win over Rayo
Vallecano and move Madrid back within a point of Spanish league leader
Barcelona on Sunday.
Vincius Jnior also scored for Madrid after again being jeered by fans early
on at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Jude Bellingham, also booed when the
lineup was announced, had to be replaced 10 minutes into the match because of
an apparent left hamstring injury.
Madrid was coming off a 4-2 loss at Benfica that dropped the team out of the
eight automatic spots for the round of 16 of the Champions League. It will face
Benfica again in the playoffs.
"We came from a tough defeat, one that nobody ever wants, in the Champions, a
competition many of us aspire to win," Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde
said. "We wanted to change that image, today we had the first opportunity, and
I think we played a great game."
It was a thriller at the Bernabeu on Sunday, with Mbapp giving Madrid the
victory by coolly converting the last-gasp penalty for his eighth goal in five
matches.
The result allowed Alvaro Arbeloa's side to keep pace with Barcelona, which won
3-1 at Elche on Saturday.
"It was a victory in which the players put a lot of energy, their soul," said
Arbeloa, who took over after replacing Xabi Alonso last month. "We needed the
help of the fans and without their push we would not have achieved it."
The boos toward Vincius were subdued after he scored a superb goal in the 15th
minute. The Brazil international cleared a couple of defenders before curling a
right-footed shot into the top corner.
Rayo, which played a man down from the 80th after Path Ciss was sent off with
a straight red card for a hard foul, equalized with Jorge De Frutos in the 49th.
Vallecano, which threatened at times at the Bernabeu, also saw Pep Chavarra
shown a second yellow in the final minutes of added time.
Bellingham was on his own when he seemed to pick up the left leg injury. He
immediately grabbed the back of his leg with his left hand before going to the
ground. He received medical assistance and seemed emotional as he left the
field under his own power.
The England international was replaced by Brahim Daz, who five minutes later
set up the Vincius goal that made it 1-0 for Madrid. Daz also prompted the
foul of the penalty converted by Mbapp.
Mbapp had missed an open net in the 68th, hitting the crossbar after getting
past the goalkeeper.
With the game tied 1-1 in the 64th, Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois came up
with a crucial save on a one-on-one following a Rayo breakaway.
Rayo, which has lost four straight in all competitions, had lost only one of
its last five games against Madrid in the league. It dropped to 17th place,
just outside the relegation zone.
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