Real Madrid 0-0 Rayo Vallecano – Jude Bellingham and Real left frustrated as visitors hold out in stalemate

Real Madrid put in a blunt display as they stumbled to a 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano, losing ground in the title race to shock La Liga leaders Girona in the process.

The hosts huffed and puffed in the first half, but found a stubborn defence in their way and were limited to only a handful of chances, the best of which fell to Federico Valverde and Joselu, who both had efforts saved.

That trend continued after the break, when Los Blancos dominated possession, but could not get the likes of Joselu and Vinicius Junior involved in the game.

Rodrygo was introduced as the match wore on, and he slid one shot wide of the far post and had another clever flick saved in injury time, but generally Carlo Ancelotti’s side found no way around a defence who marshalled their 18-yard box superbly.

At the other end, Kepa was a passenger, not having a single save to make, but the worry will be that Real were so poor in attack, with even Jude Bellingham failing to pop up with a late winner – as he so often has this season.

Gareth Southgate would have been watching on anxiously as Jude Bellingham picked up a shoulder injury in the first half.

The England international required several minutes of treatment after landing awkwardly when chesting down a ball that came to him at a nasty height.

He was able to continue, but only when wearing heavy strapping, and was in clear discomfort as he regularly clutched his shoulder throughout the rest of the match, which is not good news ahead of the Three Lions’ clashes with Malta and North Macedonia later this month.

Andrei Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano). 25-year old Andrei Ratiu was given a tough assignment on his first ever start in La Liga, as he went up against the lively Vinicius Junior.

However, the Romanian international, who joined from Huesco in the summer, barely put a foot wrong, matching his opponent stride for stride.

Real Madrid had significantly more attacks down Ratiu’s side of the pitch, but he continually kept Vinicius Junior at bay, with the Brazilian clearly frustrated at his lack of end product.

REAL MADRID: Kepa 6; Carvajal 6, Rudiger 6, Alaba 6, Garcia 6; Camaviga 7, Valverde 6, Modric 7, Bellingham 6; Joselu, Vinicius junior 7. Subs: Rodrygo 6, Kroos 6, Nacho n/a

RAYO VALLECANO: Dimitrievski 7; Ratiu 8, Mumin 8, Lejeune 7, Espino 7; Valentin 7; Palazon 6, Ciss 6, Lopez 7, Garcia 6; de Thomas 7. Subs: Perez 6, Trejo 6, Falcao 6, Bebe 6, de Frutos n/a

6’ VALVERDE SHOT SAVED. Big, big chance for Fede Valverde to open the scoring as he capitalises on a defensive error to burst through on goal, only to shoot too close to the ‘keeper, who had rushed off his line to narrow the angle

39’ DIMITRIEVSKI DENIES JOSELU. Lovely play from Vinicius junior, breaking into the box before pulling back to Joselu, who sees a hooked effort goalwards expertly tipped over the bar

71’ RODRYGO SLIDES WIDE. The substitute is involved in the game immediately, but he can’t find the target with a low shot from close range, dragging wide of the far post from a tight angle

90+4’ RODRYGO’S SHOT SAVED. Was that the chance? A delightful, inventive flick from Carvajal’s pass, but Dimitrievski makes the save

• This was Real Madrid’s first 0-0 draw at the Bernabeu since January
• Rayo Vallecano maintain their record of having the best away defensive record in La Liga, conceding just three goals this season