Real Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 4-1 victory over city rivals Rayo Vallecano, extending their unbeaten home record against them to 18 matches since January 1996.
Jose Mourinho’s side have now won 16 and drawn two of those meetings at the Bernabeu, while this latest success moved them level on points with Barcelona, although Real Madrid have played one more match at this early stage of the season.
Real Madrid had scored four goals in each of their two home league games this season and were already halfway to repeating that achievement within 17 minutes.
Alvaro Carreras played a part in both opening goals. He first managed to poke the ball away from Florian Lejeune inside the penalty area, prompting a rash challenge which gave Kylian Mbappe the chance to score from the spot with a composed finish.
Rayo’s defence then gifted Vinicius Junior possession when Lejeune’s backpass went astray. Mbappe and Carreras combined neatly moments later, with Mbappe laying the ball off for Carreras to finish and make it 2-0.
Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose had selected his third different goalkeeper of the season, and debutant Emil Audero prevented the deficit from growing midway through the first half. Audero spilled a powerful Vinicius effort but reacted quickly to push the loose ball away before Mbappe could reach it.
Real Madrid continued to dominate and added a third goal before half-time. Vinicius drove forward before pulling the ball back for Jude Bellingham, who calmly guided a side-footed finish into the net.
Thibaut Courtois was required to make several interventions of his own during the opening period. After the break, he could only watch as Pedro Diaz’s fierce strike flew past his fingertips and struck the post.
That warning did not prevent Rayo from reducing the deficit. The visitors won possession high up the pitch before working the ball to Sergio Camello, whose improvised toe-poke crept inside the far post.
The game opened up as Rayo pressed for a second goal, but Real Madrid finished strongly. Mbappe completed the scoring with a precise effort at the end of a swift counter-attack, recording his 14th LaLiga brace for Los Blancos.
The result means Real Madrid have lost only two home league matches since the start of last season, with 19 wins and one draw in that run.
Rayo’s poor away form continued, with Los Franjirrojos winning only two of their past 16 LaLiga trips. They have drawn four and lost 10 in that sequence.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)