Bale leads Real Madrid fightback at Vallecas

Embarba strikes first

Real Madrid started the game without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time this season as he recovered from a strain picked up in the win over Villarreal and Rayo appeared to take full advantage. Bebe dribbled into area off the left flank and crossed low to the edge of the six yard box where Adrian Embarba struck the opener.

Miku doubles Rayo lead

Rayo grew in confidence and doubled the lead. A corner from the right dropped in the area and Venezuelan Miku Fedor reacted first to drive the loose ball past Keylor Navas for his eighth goal of the campaign. Near the half-hour mark, Bebe almost made it 3-0 with a fierce drive from distance which had Navas flying to his left to parry away.

Bale header

Gareth Bale had started brightly, shaving the post with a low drive after only four minutes. The Welshman finally pulled a goal back for Zinedine Zidane’s men in the 35th minute. Toni Kroos swung in a corner and Bale angled in a header from the near post for his 17the Liga BBVA goal and the eighth scored with his head.

Substitute Lucas Vazquez

Zidane had to replace Karim Benzema with Lucas Vazquez just before halftime as the France striker left the pitch with an injury problem. The former youth team player rose to the occasion. After the break, Danilo broke down right and sent in a looping cross which Vazquez powered under the bar with a precise header.

HUGE 3 points. Get in!!! / Grandes 3 puntos. Vamos!!! ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rwNmhEV4Wo

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 23, 2016

Bale winner

Bale sealed the comeback in dramatic style nine minutes from time. Picking up a stray pass in midfield he surged past the last man, raced into the area and fired low past Juan Carlos for his 18th goal of the campaign, and to place Real Madrid provisionally two points clear at the top of the standings with Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona still to play.