Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema scored to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, keeping them at the top of the Spanish La Liga. Real had drawn their last two league matches at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium without scoring, but they started the game strongly, with Kroos striking a powerful shot on goal in the 14th minute following a play from Marco Asensio on the right side. Benzema, Real's top scorer, added the second goal after a pass from David Alaba.
It seemed that Real was headed for a comfortable victory until striker Radamel Falcao entered in the second half and quickly reduced the deficit with a header, after the ball deflected off defender Alaba, deceiving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 76th minute. Rayo pressed for an equalizer, with Kroos clearing the ball off the goal line following defensive confusion, and Courtois saving a long-range shot from Unai López.
Real now has 27 points from 12 matches, two points ahead of second-placed Real Sociedad, who have played the same number of games but could reclaim the top spot if they beat Osasuna on Sunday.
