Late Karim Benzema goal prolonged Rayo Vallecano’s winless run in La Liga to five matches. Even so, it was a below-par performance from the title favourites who extended their unbeaten streak in the league to six matches.Taking hold of the game at Vallecas was never going to be easy and Carlo Ancelotti knew that. Los Blancos’ only league setbacks away from home this season were against bottom-half residents Espanyol and Getafe and frantic start today against the Bees brought fear that another disappointment could be on the way.Pochettino isn’t setting Paris alight, but he’s still the most desired coach in the worldReal looked for an opening through a rather bull-headed Rayo defensive line – the visitors almost went ahead from a Vinícius Júnior shot that whizzed past the right post while at the other end Sergio Guardiola guided a powerful header right at Thibaut Courtois.Rayo keeper Luca Zidane was called into action with a brilliant diving fingertip save midway through the half. Marco Asensio’s curler made the custodian live up to the footballing reputation of his surname. From that point on, Los Blancos’s chances were pretty scarce and it was an opening the home team was looking for. The Bees took advantage of the gaps in the visitors’ backline with promising attacks of their own – nevertheless, both teams headed into the tunnel waiting for the second half goalless.##EDITORS_CHOICE##After the match restarted, it was Andoni Iraola’s men who came agonisingly close to drawing first blood just before the clock struck the hour mark. Mario Suarez’s pinpoint header was terrifically pushed away by Courtois’ one-handed save.As both teams tried to chalk out any lapses in the other’s defence, Ancelotti’s love for the Vini-Benz duo paid off in the 83rd minute. The Brazilian and the Frenchman joined forces with superb team play which left Benzema lonely in the box for a simple tap-in.Karim Benzema’s game by numbers 🆚Rayo Vallecano:1 Goal⚽️56 Touches93% Pass accuracy3 Shots on target4 Ground duels won2 Successful dribble attempts 1 TackleA mixed performance🇫🇷, but he saves the team pic.twitter.com/Do2Zr5ul8L— Eddy (@MadridistasEddy) February 26, 2022 It was surprising that, after the scored goal, the favouroites held onto a victory with a stubborn defensive display. Once again, Real Madrid showed their vulnerability on the road this season.Nevertheless, the Royal Club left it late to gain momentum ahead of their Champions League second-leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain.LA LIGA – ROUND 26FridayLevante – Elche 3-0 (1-0)/Morales 37, De Frutos 67, Melero 90/SaturdayMallorca – Valencia 0-1 (0-1)/Gabriel 4/Getafe – Alaves 2-2 (0-1)/Unal 55, 72 – Escalante 45+1, Mendez 56/Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)/Benzema 83/23:00: (1.65) Atl.Madrid (3.80) Celta (6.25)Sunday16:00: (1.53) Villareal (4.10) Espanyol (6.50)18:15: (2.35) Sevilla (3.20) Betis (3.45)20:30: (1.85) Sociedad (3.40) Osasuna (4.60)23:00: (1.62) Barcelona (3.90) Ath.Bilbao (6.50)Monday23:00: (2.05) Granada (3.40) Cadiz (4.10)***odds are subject to change
