Vinicius Junior watched on from the stands as Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
Date: 24 May 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Vinicius was not included in the squad despite his red card being rescinded, as Carlo Ancelotti recalled countryman Rodrygo while Federico Valverde was also brought back into the attack.
The Brazilian was in attendance though, as he watched the encounter in the presidential box with club president Florentino Perez.
The visitors carved out the game's first chances after 12 minutes as Unai Lopez saw his strike turned away by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while Dani Carvajal produced a superb block to deny Sergio Camello a certain goal at the far post.
Los Blancos would go on to break the deadlock with their first meaningful chance on 31 minutes as Karim Benzema exchanged passes with Valverde before surging into the box and firing in at the near post.
Vallecano were almost back on level terms three minutes later when Palazon took possession off Toni Kroos and unleashed an early strike, which forced Courtois to parry around the post.
The hosts did enjoy more of the possession in the latter stages of the first half, but they were unable to add to their tally while the visitors failed to threaten on the break.
Los Blancos did carve out a chance ten minutes into the second half when Luka Modric did well to pick out Carvajal with the outside of his boot, but the defender's volley sailed just wide of the upright.
Vallecano responded with a double change after the hour mark as Santi Comesana and Isi Palazon made way for Pep Chavarria and Oscar Trejo, while Real threw on Dani Ceballos for Valverde.
The away side pushed for the equaliser and were rewarded in the 84th minute when Raul de Tomas found the back of the net with a close-range strike after set up by Chavarria.
Vallecano's joy did last too long as Rodrygo restored Madrid's lead five minutes later with a superb individual effort that ended with the Brazilian finding the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
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