Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 300th goal for Real Madrid as his side kept pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 2-0 victory at Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening.

Rayo dominated possession and created plenty of dangerous chances against their more illustrious opponents, especially during the first half. But Real improved after the break and deservedly went ahead through Ronaldo in the 68th minute. James Rodriguez netted again five minutes later to seal the victory and ensure that the visitors kept pace with Barcelona for another round.

With 70 points through 30 matches, Real still sit four points behind their bitter rivals, but recent results hint at a return to form following a recent blip. Madrid routed Granada 9-1 last time out, with Ronaldo netting five goals, and while Wednesday's performance wasn't quite as impressive, Carlo Ancelotti's men will still believe they have a chance to overtake Barcelona during the run-in.

Not that the match brought only good news with it. Ronaldo, Rodriguez and Toni Kroos all drew bookings, and all will miss Real's next match through suspension because of yellow-card accumulation. That match is against Eibar on Saturday at the Bernabeu.

Rayo, who entered the match in ninth place with 38 points, remained just ahead of Real Sociedad following the defeat.

Nearly 30 points and seven places separated the sides at kick-off, but the opening stages of the match were tightly contested. Real Madrid had a decent opening in the 10th minute, as Rodriguez placed a shot on target following a Dani Carvajal pullback, but Rayo goalkeeper David Cobeno saved comfortably.

Rayo posed a threat as well, often through Alberto Bueno, who tested Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a bouncing shot in the 15th minute. 

Real thought they had scored the opener in the 23rd minute through Gareth Bale, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside as the Welshman ran onto Luka Modric's chipped pass over the defence.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Cobeno had to be alert in the 35th minute to kick away an ill-advised backpass into the goalmouth, where Karim Benzema was lurking. 

Real had a fine chance to break the deadlock in the 41st minute, when Rodriguez curled a free-kick into a dangerous area in the box. Ronaldo met it with a header, but the ball sailed well over the bar. At the other end, Casillas did well to push away Roberto Trashorras' powerful header in the 44th minute. 

Controversy hit the match in the 51st minute as Real had a clear penalty appeal turned down. Chasing the ball inside the box, Ronaldo crumpled to the pitch under clear contact from Rayo's Antonio Amaya. But instead of awarding a penalty, the referee booked Ronaldo for simulation.

The Independent's Joe Krishnan and Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett expressed surprise about the call: 

Real responded with a string of attacks, starting with Benzema dragging a shot wide of the far post in the 53rd minute. Marcelo blazed narrowly off target two minutes later, and Ronaldo blasted over the bar on the hour mark.

The visitors had been on the front foot for much of the second half, and their reward came in the form of the opening goal in the 67th minute. Carvajal served as the catalyst, racing down the right flank to the byline before pulling back into the goalmouth for Ronaldo. Stooping to give himself a better angle, Ronaldo powered his header into the net for a 1-0 Madrid lead.

According to Squawka Football, it was Ronaldo's 300th goal in only 288 competitive appearances with Real Madrid:

Five minutes later, Real doubled their advantage. Ronaldo played the role of provider this time, laying off for Rodriguez along the edge of the box. From there, the Colombian whipped a low shot into the bottom corner for a 2-0 lead.

The second goal took much of the sting out of Rayo's challenge. Jozabed created a spot of danger in the 81st minute, but his shot failed to trouble Casillas, who saved easily. The Real Madrid goalkeeper made another stop six minutes later to keep out Manucho's towering header.

The hosts had another chance in the 89th minute, when the ball fell kindly to Tito in the middle of the box. But the defender bounced his first-time shot wide of the far post, failing to trouble Casillas.

From there, it was only a matter of time as Real saw out a hard-earned victory away from home.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Iker Casillas	9.2
Dani Carvajal	8.6
Raphael Varane	7.8
Sergio Ramos	7.9
Marcelo	7.2
Luka Modric	7.2
Toni Kroos	6.7
James Rodriguez	8.2
Gareth Bale	7.6
Karim Benzema	6.5
Cristiano Ronaldo	8.5
Isco (for Benzema, 72')	6.4
Nacho (for James, 90')	6.1
Javier Hernandez (for Bale, 90')	6.0

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