Real Madrid have missed the chance to overtake Barcelona atop La Liga as they were held to 3-3 at Rayo Vallecano in a thrilling derby clash.
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Rayo stunned Madrid with two headed goals from Unai López and Abdul Mumin to lead 2-0 by the 36th minute of Saturday's match.
Federico Valverde struck with a powerful shot from well outside the area to pull one back for Madrid then Jude Bellingham headed the visitors level from a pass by Rodrygo just before halftime.
Madrid looked on course to completing a comeback win when Rodrygo put them in front for the first time with a deflected shot in the 56th.
But Rayo midfield leader Isi Palazón stretched out a boot to steer Florian Lejeune's shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 64th.
Madrid were without striker Kylian Mbappé (thigh). Vinícius Júnior went on as a second-half substitute. Goalie Augusto Batalla saved the Brazilian's best effort in the final period.
Madrid remained second, one point behind Barcelona.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team dropped their guard in defence when his players left López and Mumin unchecked to turn in crosses.
But he said he was "satisfied" with his team's reaction, especially given the injuries to defensive starters Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Ferland Mendy.
He also looked to last season, when his team drew twice with Rayo.
Madrid, as the Champions League titleholders, next travel to Qatar to play the Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican club Pachuca.
"We have a great chance to win a title on Wednesday, which would put the cherry on top of a great year," Ancelotti said.
Vinícius will miss the next game at home against Sevilla after picking up his fifth yellow card, this time for protesting.
Rayo were in 13th place. The modest club has also held Atletico Madrid to 1-1 and forced Barcelona to rally for a 2-1 thanks to a late goal.
Sevilla's Jesus Navas bid farewell to his home fans during a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo as he nears the end of his 20-year playing career.
Players from both teams wore T-shirts saying "Navas Legend" before kickoff. They gave a tearful Navas an honour guard with trophies he won with the club placed on the pitch.
Navas announced in May he would retire at the end of the year, midway through this season.
Navas, who turned 39 last month, debuted for his boyhood club in 2004 and played two stints for Sevilla on either side of his spell at Manchester City from 2013-17 when he helped it win one Premier League. He helped Sevilla win two Europa Leagues and two Copa del Reys among other titles.
Navas helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, his second. He was also part of the 2010 World Cup champion squad.
His last game will be at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on December 22.
Cyle Larin scored two goals, one while Mallorca was down to 10 men, to complete a 2-1 comeback win over Girona at home.
Larin scored from an assist by Vedat Muriqi to cancel out Girona's opener by Donny Van de Beek.
Mallorca went down a man in the 32nd when Muriqi was red-carded for a hard foul of Byran Gil. But Larin got his brace when he pressured goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and slid to deflect the goalie's clearance attempt into the goal for the 51st-minute winner
Espanyol held Osasuna to 0-0 at home.
Australian Associated Press
