La Liga leaders Real Madrid dropped points in a draw at neighbours Rayo Vallecano, giving hope to Girona and Barcelona in the Spanish title race.
The away team began the match brightly, taking an early lead when Joselu expertly redirected Fede Valverde’s pass into the net.
However, Rayo Vallecano leveled the score with a penalty converted by Raul de Tomas, awarded after the video assistant referee (VAR) detected a handball by Eduardo Camavinga.
Real Madrid struggled to create many more scoring opportunities and settled for a single point from the match.
This draw enabled the 35-time La Liga champions to extend their lead over second-placed Girona by six points, as Girona prepares to face Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
Real Madrid currently hold an eight-point advantage over arch-rivals Barcelona, who secured a late victory against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, Real Madrid have suffered only one defeat in the league this season, although they were without injured England midfielder Jude Bellingham for the brief trip to Rayo Vallecano.
Despite a strong start from the visitors, they were unable to capitalize further and were ultimately punished when Rayo Vallecano leveled the score midway through the first half.
The atmosphere and dynamics shifted at the lively Estadio de Vallecas as a result.
Rayo Vallecano, under the management of 36-year-old Inigo Perez for the first time, maintained their organization and discipline, effectively limiting Real Madrid’s scoring opportunities.
Even with German midfielder Toni Kroos entering the game as a substitute after being rested, the closest Real came to clinching a late victory was through Kroos’ free-kick, which Rayo keeper Stole Dimitrievski managed to push wide.
In injury time, Dani Carvajal also attempted a shot that was saved before receiving a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal for a minor altercation with an opponent after the play had ceased, just seconds before the final whistle.