F. Valverde enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
Third and final change for Real Madrid as Valverde replaces Modric in the heart of midfield.
89'
Vazquez commits a silly foul on Moreno that provides Rayo Vallecano with a free-kick in a dangerous position. Bebe curls a delivery into the middle but the offside flag is raised.
87'
A late Real Madrid corner is taken by Kroos and fired towards the middle of the box, where the defence stands firm again to clear the ball away.
85'
Not too long to go now and Real Madrid are edging towards another narrow victory against a relegation struggler, having seen off Huesca with a 1-0 triumph last week.
83'
G. Imbula gets yellow.
Imbula is penalised for a clumsy challenge on Ceballos and becomes the third Rayo player to be booked in the game.
82'
The hosts are managing to keep the play occuring in Rayo Vallecano's half of the field but they are not doing much with it, with the attack feeding on scraps.
78'
Vinícius Júnior enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Confirmation of the change in attack for Real Madrid as Vinicius replaces Benzema.
76'
Inside the final 15 minutes in the Spanish capital and the game is still far from decided, with Real Madrid unable to extend their lead.
74'
Rayo Vallecano are seeing a lot more of the ball in the final third as they surge forward in search of an equaliser but their finishing has not been up to scratch, with Imbula becoming the latest player to miss the target from distance.
Minute
Description
73'
Álex Alegría enters the game and replaces Adri Embarba.
Rayo Vallecano make their third and final change as Alegria replaces Embarba, providing the visitors with a different option in attack.
71'
Dani Ceballos enters the game and replaces Marco Asensio.
First change of the game for Real Madrid as Ceballos takes the place of Asensio.
70'
Alvaro Garcia bursts forward to put Carvajal under pressure but the Real Madrid defender stands firm to prevent the danger, then earning a free-kick.
68'
Bebe tries another attempt from distance and forces a parried save from Courtois. The visitors are growing in the game and are in with a huge chance of turning this game around.
67'
Real Madrid still have all three substitutes available to them and they could do with bringing someone on who can provide some spark back into their side.
64'
Bebé gets yellow.
Bebe pulls Kroos from behind to bring a halt to the latest Real Madrid attack and picks up his side's second booking of the game.
62'
Inside the final half hour at the Santiago Bernabeu and Real Madrid continue to be thwarted by Rayo Vallecano, who have everybody behind the ball in an attempt to quell Los Blancos.
60'
Bebe charges forward down the right side to win Rayo a corner, which is floated towards the near post but is headed Asensio. Bebe then tries a pop from distance but his effort flies over the roof of Courtois' net.
58'
The longer Real Madrid's lead stands at just a single goal, the more encouragement it will provide to Rayo Vallecano. They are by no means out of it but need to improve in the final third.
56'
Kroos floats another free-kick delivery into the box but the visiting defence stands firm once again to clear the ball away.
54'
A. Ba enters the game and replaces Alejandro Gálvez.
Bebé enters the game and replaces Álvaro Medrán.
The second change for the visitors sees former Manchester United man Bebe take the place of Medran.
Rayo Vallecano's first change is the introduction of Ba in place of Galvez, who had been booked in the first half.
52'
Rayo Vallecano are readying a double change as they seek to establish a foothold on the match, as Real Madrid are looking comfortable.
48'
Real Madrid have quickly reestablished control at the start of the second half but Rayo are still maintaining a strong defensive line.
46'
Rayo Vallecano get the action back underway for the second period.
45'
HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 RAYO VALLECANO
44'
For all of Real Madrid's dominance, they have not done enough to put themselves out of touch. While their advantage remains at just a single goal there is always a chance Rayo could fight back to secure a famous result.
42'
Carvajal is penalised for a foul on Alvaro Garcia but the set-piece is wasted by Embarba, who fires an optimistic effort way off target from an angle where he should have crossed to a teammate.
41'
Rayo Vallecano are moving the ball around well in midfield but look short of ideas when they get into the final third, with Courtois yet to be properly tested.
39'
Alejandro Gálvez gets yellow.
Galvez picks up the first booking of the match for a poor challenge on Llorente, raking his studs down the back of the Real Madrid man's calf.
35'
Kroos fires another free-kick into the area, this time from a deep position, but Moreno rises highest to ease the pressure once again.
33'
Superb skill from Kroos sees the midfielder escape Advincula but the Rayo man concedes a free-kick. It is whipped into the area by the German and easily headed away.
31'
Real Madrid are still not quite looking like the vintage side we have enjoyed during their Champions League successes in recent years but they do have control of this game. There has not been too much in the way of chances for either side though.
27'
Benzema's movement in the opening period has been excellent as he regularly manages to find room to work with and it has made him difficult for the Rayo Vallecano defenders to track.
25'
Real Madrid are finding joy in the wide positions and Vazquez continues to be a threat, combining with Benzema once more before the France forward drills a ball across the face of goal that Rayo clear away.
23'
Rayo Vallecano are enjoying a decent spell of possession at the moment but they have not quite been able to break down Madrid's defensive line.
21'
Vazquez fouls Alvaro Garcia on the left-hand sideline and it presents an opportunity to threaten Real Madrid's net. Velazquez again rises highest to head at goal but it is easy for Courtois to collect.
14'
Rayo Vallecano immediately push back against Real and break down the right, with a driven cross into the middle diverted back to his own goal by Llorente but Courtois is alert to the danger and pounces on the ball.
13'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Lucas Vázquez.
GOOOOAL! 1-0! A fine Madrid move sees Benzema fire a long ball over to the right side where Vazquez is lurking and he dances inside before teeing a pass back through to the France striker, who tucked home superbly into the far corner.
A superb combination from Vazquez and Benzema results in a goal that could be crucial in easing any of the nerves that may have been lurking inside the stands.
11'
Rayo Vallecano will be pleased with the start they have made as they are doing well to limit the space for the hosts, who could become increasily frustrated if this continues.
7'
The visiting side have put everyone on defensive duty to limit the space available for Real Madrid's attackers, which has left the majority of play coming in midfield as Solari's side patiently try to find an opening.
5'
Rayo are also trying to find their rhythm in the match and win a free-kick on the halfway line after Alvaro Garcia is fouled by Llorente.
3'
The hosts have quickly established themselves into a style that has seen them dominate possession in the opening minutes as they move the ball around to try and find space to work with.
1'
We are underway at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid get the action started.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, one of the lesser-known derbies from Spain's capital city.
Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Marcos Llorente, Luka Modric; Lucas Vazquez, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio.
Real subs: Keylor Navas, Isco, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Vinicius Junior, Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola.
Rayo Vallecano XI (4-1-4-1): Stole Dimitrievski; Tito, Alejandro Galvez, Emiliano Velazquez, Alex Moreno; Santiago Comesana; Luis Advincula, Alvaro Medran, Giannelli Imbula, Alvaro Garcia; Adrian Embarba.
Rayo subs: Alberto Garcia, Bebe, Abdoulaye Ba, Sergio Akieme, Jose Pozo, Sergio Moreno, Alex Alegria.
Modric is presented with the Ballon D'Or before the start of the game after both sides take to the field.
Real Madrid still continue to be far from their best and are looking to exorcise their demons after suffering their worst-ever European defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu against CSKA Moscow in midweek. Vallecano, meanwhile, have won just one of their last 12 league matches.
Real Madrid hold a narrow advantage at the break courtesy of Benzema's sixth league goal of the season but Solari's side have not been able to capitalise on their dominance. At the other end, Velazquez missed a glorious opportunity for the visitors and Courtois is yet to be truly tested.
Improvements are certainly needed from Los Blancos in the second period and the hosts need someone to grab the game by the scruff of its neck to put the result beyond any doubt. Rayo, meanwhile, need to make better use of set-piece situations as it could be their best route back into the match.
Thanks for joining our coverage today. Until next time, goodbye.
Real Madrid will now jet to the United Arab Emirates to tackle Japanese side Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, while Rayo will look to bring an end to their poor run of form next weekend when they host Levante.
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