MADRID: Real Madrid suffered their first loss of the season on Monday night as Rayo Vallecano stunned the reigning champions 3-2 in LaLiga. Following the upset defeat, the La Liga champions failed to reclaim the top spot from Barcelona in the standings after two successive games without a win.

The first half witnessed an intense exchange of goals between the two sides before Oscar Trejo netted a second-half penalty to give Rayo Vallecano an astonishing win at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid. The hosts took the lead five minutes into the game when midfielder Santiago Comesana volleyed the ball from inside the box, but Real immediately bounced back and surged ahead with two goals in four minutes.

Luka Modric hit the first one in the 37th minute from the penalty spot for Madrid after Marco Asensio was fouled inside the area, and then Eder Militao put the visitors in front with a lovely header. Rayo forward Alvaro Garcia, however, managed to claw in the equalizer just before half-time. Rayo were then awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after a handball by the defender Dani Carvajal on the edge of the area. Thibaut Courtois blocked Trejo’s first effort, but the kick had to be retaken because the goalkeeper left his line too early. The Spaniard did not fail in his second attempt and took his side home.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 10 2022

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