Without Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined with a left thigh injury, Real Madrid were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw in a thrilling city derby against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, missing out on the opportunity to go top of La Liga.
After the Madrilenians were 2-0 down in the 36th minute, a comeback seemed in sight when Federico Valverde (38th, 2-1), Jude Bellingham (45th, 2-2) and Rodrygo (56th, 3-3) scored. 2) ensured the turnaround. But in the 64th minute they had to accept an equalizer from French defender Florian Lejeune, whose ball was cleverly put into the net by home hero Isi Palazon (64th, 3:3).
The Spanish defending champions (2nd, 37 points, with one game less) were heavily challenged in Vallecas and missed the chance to put pressure on their arch-rivals FC Barcelona (1st, 38 points), who host Leganés on Sunday at 9:00 p.m . This result also gives Atlético Madrid (3rd, 35 points, with two games to catch up) the chance to overtake them in the table if they win against Getafe on Sunday at 2pm.
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Martinez’s extraordinary save: ‘Unsurpassed in Premier League history’
The Brazilian Vinicius Junior, rested by coach Carlo Ancelotti just four days before the Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar against the Mexican club Pachuca, came into the game in the 63rd minute but could not make a difference, nor could his younger teammate Endrick or the French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who returned after over two weeks out due to a thigh injury against Liverpool at the end of November.
Matchday 17 was also marked by the emotional farewell of the experienced Jesus Navas from Sevilla FC, who, at the age of 39, left his fans at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium after an impressive 703 appearances for the Andalusian club, where he won eight titles, including four Europa Leagues. Trophies, won, farewell said.
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Lucas Paquetá is keen on a move to Flamengo in January
When he stepped onto the pitch during his team’s 1-0 win against Celta Vigo, he received a lap of honor from both teams. The former Manchester City player, who plans to end his career at the end of 2024, left the pitch in tears in the 71st minute of his last home match.
As world champion in 2010, champion at Euro 2012 and 2024 and Nations League winner in 2023, the dynamic right winger, who was retrained as a full-back, will hang up his boots and is considered the player with the most appearances in the history of Sevilla FC as a legend of Spanish football.
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Pachuca contests the final of the International Cup
In the morning, Girona, who had been playing in the ascendancy since the 30th minute, suffered their fifth defeat in their last six games in all competitions, losing 2-1 away to Mallorca, who temporarily rose to fifth place, meaning they had to qualify for the Europa League means.
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