Real Madrid Draw 0-0 with Rayo, Barcelona Close Gap

Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga narrowed after a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, as the league leaders struggled to break down their hosts at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid. The result marked only the second time this season that Xabi Alonso's side has dropped points in the domestic competition, following a midweek Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

Rayo Vallecano, coached by Inigo Perez, put in a resilient performance despite playing a UEFA Conference League match just days earlier, leaving them with less recovery time than their opponents. The mid-table side pressed effectively, limiting the influence of Real Madrid's star attackers, including top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who managed just one shot and three touches in the opposition area. Real Madrid had the better chances overall in a scrappy affair, but Rayo created opportunities of their own, with Andrei Ratiu firing straight at goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois early on and Alvaro Garcia later missing from close range.

The first half was drab, with Vinicius Junior denied by a strong save from Augusto Batalla and Raul Asencio heading wide for the visitors. After the break, Jorge de Frutos struck the...