Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid thrashed Rayo Vallecano 4-1 on Saturday to move level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Jose Mourinho’s side returned to winning ways after suffering defeat by Real Betis in their previous league outing, cruising to a convincing victory over their city neighbours.
Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras were also on target for Madrid, while Sergio Camello pulled one back for Rayo early in the second half.
Champions Barcelona visit Levante on Sunday looking to maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign and restore their lead over Madrid.
Mourinho’s side effectively settled the contest by half-time, taking a commanding three-goal advantage into the break.
“(It was) fundamental to win, above all after losing the last game in La Liga,” Mourinho told Real Madrid TV.
“We killed the game in the first half — that’s not easy, working like we did after the Champions League game, not just physically, but mentally.”
Madrid took the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Florian Lejeune clumsily brought down Carreras. Mbappe calmly sent Rayo goalkeeper Emil Audero the wrong way.
The French forward then helped create Madrid’s second after Lejeune lost possession under pressure from Vinicius Junior. Carreras exchanged passes with Mbappe before drilling the ball into the net.
Making his first start for Madrid, the club’s record signing Yan Diomande cut inside from the right with a rapid burst of dribbling that left Rayo’s defence scrambling, but he lashed his effort high and wide.
Bellingham added Madrid’s third — his third goal of the season — after Vinicius raced down the left and cut the ball back for the England international, who continued his impressive start to the campaign.
Mourinho had defended Vinicius in midweek after some Madrid supporters whistled the Brazilian during their Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
Mbappe then rattled the post with a long-range effort as Madrid searched for a fourth, while Pedro Diaz tested Thibaut Courtois at the other end. The Belgian goalkeeper reacted sharply to push his effort away.
Diaz struck the post early in the second half as Rayo looked to establish a foothold at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Golden ambitions
Mbappe, who made his case this week for why he should win the Ballon d’Or, almost doubled his tally with a low drive.
Rayo pulled a goal back in the 51st minute when Vinicius lost possession under pressure from Camello, who pounced before poking the ball past Courtois.
It was the Spanish forward’s sixth goal of the campaign, putting him level with Barcelona’s Raphinha and Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts.
Benat San Jose’s 15th-placed side had further opportunities to reduce the deficit, but Courtois denied Giorgi Tsitaishvili and Lejeune with a pair of saves.
Mourinho responded by introducing Turkish midfielder Arda Guler as Madrid sought to regain control of the match.
“Arda is very good, he’s got a lot of quality, he influences the team’s play in a good way and today he made a difference in terms of the stability of the game,” Mourinho said.
Guler then helped create Madrid’s fourth in stoppage time, with Mbappe producing a lethal low finish across goal to complete his brace.
The goal took Mbappe to seven for the season in all competitions.
“Conceding the (early) penalty was a blow, then we had another mistake when bringing the ball out,” said Rayo coach San Jose.
“I think we could have scored in the first half too, but it’s true that they were better…
“We have to congratulate Madrid, but I’m proud of the players because the second half was much better.”
Real Madrid travel to face Elche on Tuesday, while Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol.
Earlier on Saturday, Racing Santander defeated third-placed Alaves 2-1, Espanyol won 2-0 at Osasuna, and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at home against Elche.
