Without Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined with a left thigh injury, Real Madrid was held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, failing to capitalize on the chance to take the lead in La Liga.
After trailing 2-0 in the 36th minute, the Madrid giants seemed poised for a comeback, with three goals from Uruguayan Federico Valverde (38′, 2-1), Englishman Jude Bellingham (45′, 2-2), and Brazilian Rodrygo (56′, 3-2). However, they conceded an equalizer in the 64th minute, courtesy of French defender Florian Lejeune, whose ball was deftly redirected into the net by local hero Isi Palazon (64′, 3-3).
Severely challenged at Vallecas, the defending Spanish champions (2nd, 37 points, with a game in hand) missed the chance to put pressure on their arch-rivals FC Barcelona (1st, 38 points), who will host Leganés on Sunday at 21:00. This result also opens the door for Atlético Madrid (3rd, 35 points with two games in hand) to overtake them in the table if they secure a victory against Getafe on Sunday at 14:00.
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Martinez’s Extraordinary Save: ‘Unrivaled in Premier League History’
Brazilian Vinicius Junior, rested by coach Carlo Ancelotti just four days before the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar against Mexican club Pachuca, came off the bench in the 63rd minute but couldn’t make the difference, nor could his younger teammate Endrick or French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who was making his return just over two weeks after suffering a left thigh injury against Liverpool at the end of November.
This 17th round of matches was also marked by the emotional farewell of veteran Jesus Navas from Sevilla FC, at the age of 39, to the fans at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium after an impressive 703 appearances for the Andalusian club, winning eight titles, including four Europa League trophies.
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Lucas Paqueta Eager for January Move Back to Flamengo
Entering the pitch to a guard of honor from both teams during his side’s 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, the former Manchester City player, who is set to retire at the end of 2024, left the field in tears in the 71st minute during his last home match.
A World Cup winner in 2010, and champion at both Euro 2012 and 2024, as well as a Nations League winner in 2023, the dynamic right winger-turned-fullback will hang up his boots as the most capped player in Sevilla FC’s history, and is regarded as a legend of Spanish football.
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Pachuca to Contest International Cup Final
Earlier in the afternoon, Girona, playing with a numerical advantage from the 30th minute, suffered their fifth defeat in their last six matches across all competitions, losing 2-1 away to Mallorca, who climb temporarily to fifth place, which is qualifying for the Europa League.
