Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Rayo Vallecano (2-1): Luka Modric Delivers Another Age-Defying Masterclass

Title holders Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in their La Liga Matchday 27 meeting on Sunday, 9 March. 

With Barcelona’s game with CA Osasuna getting postponed and Atletico Madrid losing 2-1 to Getafe, the victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium saw Real Madrid climb to second place in the La Liga rankings. Barcelona are still at the top, thanks to their superior head-to-head record.

Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano Match Summary

Real Madrid had a nervy start to the game, with Rayo Vallecano carving out their first goalscoring opportunity just seven minutes into the game. Following Andriy Lunin’s unconvincing clearance from a corner, Aridane Hernandez connected with the ball at the back post. Luckily for Los Blancos, the Rayo centre-back could not keep his effort on target.

Six minutes later, Real Madrid executed a lightning-fast attack. Rodrygo dashed down the right flank before cutting the ball back for Jude Bellingham. The Englishman cleverly left it for Vinicius Jr., allowing the Brazilian to have a stab at goal. The No. 7 hit it well, but the post came to Rayo’s rescue, denying Madrid the early opener.

⚽ @KMbappe 🙏 @ViniJr ⚽ pic.twitter.com/F7NcTo3MwI

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 9, 2025

The breakthrough finally came in the 30th minute, courtesy of the mercurial Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman cut inside from the left flank, went past Florian Lejeune, opened up a bit of room, and found the bottom-right corner with precision. Four minutes later, his strike partner, Vinicius Jr. ed the party. Latching on to Luka Modric’s hopeful ball forward, Vinicius barged into the box from the left, skipped past Lejeune, and fired at goal. His shot took a fortunate deflection off Andrei Ratiu before nestling into the back of the net.

Rayo star Pedro Diaz scored a thumping goal from outside the box just before half-time, making it 2-1 at the Bernabeu. However, they could not find the equalizer in the second 45.

Read on to check out the Real Madrid player ratings against Vallecano.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Rayo Vallecano

Andriy Lunin (7/10):

Coming in for Thibaut Courtois, the substitute goalkeeper put in quite a shift. He conceded just before half-time, but there was very little he could do to stop it. Made five saves, delivered five accurate long balls, and completed 11 recoveries.

Lucas Vazquez (5/10):

The right-winger-turned-right-back was wasteful on Sunday. Lost three of six duels and misplaced three of four attempted long balls.

Raul Asencio (5/10):

The young centre-back struggled with his positioning against Rayo. He lost the only aerial duel he fought. Must find a way to be more involved.

David Alaba (6.5/10):

Having recently regained match fitness after last season’s Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear, David Alaba is slowly getting back to his best. He completed 55 es with 89% accuracy, made three blocks, and completed five recoveries.

Fran Garcia (7/10):

Fran Garcia was the best man in Real Madrid’s backline on Sunday. The 25-year-old dashed forward with urgency, completed 38 es with 83% accuracy, won two of three tackles, made four interceptions, and came out on top in six ground duels.

Aurelien Tchouameni (7.5/10):

The defensive midfielder is slowly coming into his own at Real Madrid. He was great on the ball, made some crucial interceptions, and always seemed to have the get-out-of-jail-free card. He completed 48 es with 92% accuracy, ed four interceptions and eight recoveries; and won both his aerial duels.

Luka Modric (8/10):

🌟 | PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Luka Modrić among all players in #RealMadridRayo:

• Most touches (86)
• Most accurate long balls (9)
• Most key es (4)
• Second-most duels won (9)
• Highest Sofascore Rating (8.1)

Still very much got it. 🇭🇷🎩 pic.twitter.com/rmGPdZ5cqc

— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) March 9, 2025

The oldest player on the pitch on Sunday, 39-year-old Luka Modric ran the show. He was omnipresent, picking up the ball, playing through balls, and effortlessly switching play. Modric could have had two assists to his name had Vinicius Jr. applied the finishing touch to his jaw-dropping in the 75th minute. The evergreen Croat played a game-high four key es, delivered 10 accurate long balls, made five recoveries, and won nine duels. Ageless.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

After serving a two-game suspension for dissent, Jude Bellingham returned to La Liga action for Real Madrid on Sunday. The England international put in a solid shift, but the magic was missing in the final third.

Rodrygo (6.5/10):

Made some great runs and kept the opponents guessing, but could not put much pressure inside the box. Carlo Ancelotti called him off in the 68th minute ahead of the Champions League Round of 16 second leg at Atletico Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

The French superstar looked lively on the pitch against Rayo Vallecano. Took his goal superbly and tested the goalkeeper on a couple more occasions. Also pulled off three dribbles.

Vinicius Jr. (7/10):

Like his strike partner, Vinicius Jr. also scored an excellent goal. He also created a couple of chances but should have killed off the game in the 75th minute.

Substitutes:

Fede Valverde (5.5/10):

The Uruguan came on for Rodrygo in the 68th minute. He put in an industrious shift but did not threaten in the final third.

Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):

Was on the pitch for just over 11 minutes and committed two fouls. Must control his aggression.

Brahim Diaz (N/A):

Entered the pitch in the 86th minute. Did not have time to settle in.