Rayo 0-0 Real Madrid: the 'merengues' deflate without penalties in Vallecas

Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid drew goalless in matchday 12 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The 'merengue' side couldn't break down the defensive wall of the Madrid team and a very secure Augusto Batalla between the posts. For Xabi Alonso's team, it's their first draw of the season. Without penalties in their favor, Madrid drew a blank against their neighbors.

Xabi Alonso opted for Camavinga as the '5' due to Tchouaméni's absence (injury), while Brahim Díaz also took advantage of Franco Mastantuono's absence due to muscular problems to return to the starting XI. The other novelty was the presence of Raúl Asencio instead of Éder Militao, accompanying Dean Huijsen in the center of defense.

After a rather poor first half from the 'merengues', brought about by the physical play that Rayo usually imposes on their home turf, the second half was a bit more open, but with little clarity in the penalty areas. The goalless draw, in the end, was fair given what both teams showed in Vallecas.

Vinicius and Mbappé, missing in the first half in Vallecas

Madrid barely threatened the opponent's area a couple of times in the first 45 minutes. Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé participated very little in the game, well controlled by the defense of a very compact Rayo between the lines.

The presence of Arda Güler further back to help Camavinga with recovery and build-up reduced the attacking threat of a 'Merengue' team that once again lacked ideas in attack. The first clear chance of the match fell to the home side in the 20th minute, with a good cross-shot from Andrei Ratiu that required Courtois's intervention. 

Just after that came Madrid's best collective action before halftime. Mbappé brought down a long ball for Jude Bellingham and the Englishman passed it inside the box to Vini. With the entire goal at his disposal, the Brazilian shot somewhat centrally, giving the goalkeeper Batalla a chance to make a providential save to clear the shot for a corner

Iñigo Pérez was forced to make a change in the 27th minute due to Pedro Díaz's injury. 'Pacha' Espino came on for the '4' to avoid losing marking and width on the right. From then until halftime, the match was very scrappy, with up to 5 yellow cards (3 for Rayo) shown by referee Juan Martínez Munuera.

Second half with more chances in Vallecas

Jude Bellingham, during Rayo-Real Madrid

After the break, Xabi Alonso brought on Militao for a booked Huijsen, who was once again looking uncertain at the back. Rayo threatened in the 50th minute with a run by Espino that ended with De Frutos shooting into the side netting. Güler responded for Madrid with a shot from the edge of the box that went slightly wide.

The match gained intensity as the minutes passed, with Rayo now more determined to attack. **Bellingham again tested Batalla in the 55th minute**, in a very dangerous play neutralized by the quick exit of the Argentine goalkeeper. Mbappé moved to the right wing to have more involvement, but the Frenchman was erratic in his finishing

Álvaro García narrowly scored in the 65', but the forward shot high over the bar a good pass from Ratiu from the wing. Valverde did the same with one of his usual shots from outside the box in the 69', testing Batalla's reflexes. The Uruguayan, after the shot, seemed to injure his right hamstring.

Madrid loses 2 points in Vallecas

After the 70th minute, both coaches turned to their benches. Iñigo Pérez brought on Óscar Valentín and Fran Pérez for De Frutos and Izi, while Xabi Alonso substituted Brahim for Dani Ceballos to push Güler forward. Later, Rodrygo also came on for Camavinga.

Madrid sought more attacking depth with the '11' on the right, where Valverde finally came on for Alexander-Arnold in the 83rd minute. In that same window, Gumbau and Alemao also entered for the home team, who retreated into their own half again in the final quarter of an hour to preserve the zero in their goal.In the end, there was no way to break the tie and Real Madrid dropped 2 valuable points in Vallecas. For the second consecutive match, the team failed to score. And if FC Barcelona defeats Celta at Balaídos, Hansi Flick's team will be just 3 points behind the leaders. Villarreal and Atlético also took advantage of matchday 12 to get within 5 and 6 points, respectively

Match Report: Rayo Vallecano 0-0 Real Madrid

• Rayo Vallecano, 0: Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarria; Ciss, Unai López (Gumbau, min. 83); Isi Palazón (Fran Pérez, min. 70), Pedro Díaz (Espino, min. 27), Álvaro García (Alemao, min. 83); De Frutos (Valentín, min. 70).
• Real Madrid, 0: Courtois; Valverde (Trent, min. 83), Asencio, Huijsen (Militao, min. 46), Carreras; Camavinga (Rodrygo, min. 79), Güler; Brahim (Ceballos, min. 72), Bellingham, Vini Jr; Mbappé.
• Goals: None.
• Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera. Booked Andrei Ratiu, Jorge de Frutos, Álvaro García for Rayo. For Real Madrid, booked Brahim Díaz, Dean Huijsen.
• Stadium: Vallecas (Madrid).
• Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 12 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26.