Mbappe brace helps Madrid to another victory

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Mbappe scored his sixth goal of the season in the 14th minute from the penalty spot, making up for last week's miss from 12 yards after Rayo defender Florian Lejeune fouled Alvaro Carreras in the box.

Three minutes later Carreras exchanged passes with Mbappe after Lejeune had gifted the ball to Vinicius Junior,and sent a shot into the net.

Wingers Vinicius and Yan Diomande, making his first start for Madrid since joining in August, found ample space to operate in and after 34 minutes the Brazilian raced down the left before picking out Jude Bellingham just inside the box, who side-footed into the bottom corner with minimal fuss.

Mbappe hit the post late in the first half, but the only danger to Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois's clean sheet came from a long-range strike by Andrei Ratiu which the Belgian pushed away.

The lack of tension was evident early in the second period, with Rayo's Pedro Diaz hitting the post.

The visitors pulled a goal back after 51 minutes when, after a cheap giveaway, Sergio Camello sneaked the ball through Ibrahima Konate's legs and into the corner of the net.

Rayo was enjoying comfortable possession in the Madrid half and was keeping Courtois busy. On the Madrid bench, manager Jose Mourinho's anger was mirrored by whistles from the crowd.

With 13 minutes to go, Madrid's Denzel Dumfries drew a spectacular save from goalkeeper Emil Audero after connecting with substitute Arda Guler's cross.

Madrid closed out the game with a second goal from Mbappe on the counter-attack in the 91st minute, moving him on to seven goals in six games in all competitions.

The result put Madrid on 12 points, level with league leader Barcelona, which plays Levante on Monday (AEST).