Real Madrid return to winning ways with slim victory over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Re-live the action from the Bernabeu

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game (EPA)

Real Madrid put the Champions League loss to CSKA Moscow behind them with a hard-earned 1-0 derby win over Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.

Santiago Solari and his side had been jeered off after a 3-0 home defeat by the Russians in midweek, but produced the required result against their local rivals.

An early goal from Karim Benzema, who later went off injured, proved enough for victory, which moved Los Blancos up to third in the LaLiga table, two points off the top.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, though, had to make a smart double save in stoppage time to deny Rayo, who remain second bottom, a dramatic equaliser. Re-live the action below:

[15 December 2018 16:34 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Welcome!

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.

We'll have team news shortly.

[15 December 2018 16:38 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Team News

[15 December 2018 16:52 · Callum Rice-Coates]

This should be a routine win for Real Madrid. They beat bottom of the league Huesca last weekend, but made hard work of it: the 1-0 win was unconvincing and suggested there are still problems for Santiago Solari to address. And then in midweek, CSKA Moscow left Madrid with a 3-0 win, a result that led to boos from the angered home supporters.

Today Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano, who sit in 19th and have the joint worst defensive record in the division. At the Bernabeu, Los Blancos should have too much for their visitors. A victory is crucial, not only to keep pace at the top of La Liga, but to appease the increasingly disillusioned fans.

[15 December 2018 17:02 · Callum Rice-Coates]

[15 December 2018 17:07 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Gareth Bale, disappointingly, is out of today's game with an ankle injury, just as you felt he might be getting back into form. He scored against Huesca with a superb volley, but he doesn't make the squad today.

[15 December 2018 17:15 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Atletico have won at Real Valladolid, which moves them level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. They're five points clear of Real Madrid now, too, so the pressure is on Los Blancos to close the gap with victory today.

[15 December 2018 17:28 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The teams are out at the Bernabeu. Kick off is almost upon us...

[15 December 2018 17:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Luka Modric shows off his Ballon d'Or to the home fans before we get going. He gets a deservedly warm reception.

[15 December 2018 17:32 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid get things underway. Can they put on a show for their fans here after the embarrassment of midweek.

[15 December 2018 17:33 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano

2 minutes

The hosts start quickly. Benzema breaks forward and feeds Modric, who plays the ball out to Vazquez. His cross is dangerous but just too close to the goalkeeper.