MADRID: Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were both on target for Real Madrid as they beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Sunday to pull level with leaders Barcelona at the top of the table in the battle to retain their La Liga crown.

Only one point separates Spain`s three biggest clubs in one of the closest title races in recent years with Barcelona leading the pack on 57 points, ahead of second-placed Real on goal difference with Atletico Madrid in third on 56 points after a 2-1 loss at Getafe earlier on Sunday.

Barca, who will face Atletico next Sunday, have a game in hand after their match against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed due to the sudden death of their team doctor.

Carlo Ancelotti`s Real produced a solid, if not spectacular, performance to get the better of their local rivals, ahead of the huge Champions League derby clash against Atletico beckoning on Wednesday.

`Vinicius and Mbappe scored two spectacular goals, and they had chances for the third,` said Ancelotti. `The first half was very good, when you get to the 70th, 75th minute with a 2-1 lead, you have to do one thing well, which is to defend it, so you don`t have problems.

`The team is looking fine and players look fresh, considering the calendar. If we play on Wednesdaylike we did in the first half today, we have a good chance of going through.

The Italian coach brought Jude Bellingham back into the starting line-up after suspension, but left Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger out entirely because of a knee issue and illness respectively.

The duo are expected to return to face Atletico in the last 16 second leg, where they hold a 2-1 lead.

Real were still the better side and dominated proceedings from early on at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

They got a two-goal lead with quickfire strikes, as French superstar Mbappe finished a counter in the 30th minute and Vinicius extended their advantage with a fine individual goal four minutes later. The winger produced two stepovers to keep Andrei Ratiu guessing before finishing lethally.

Rayo reduced the deficit in added time before the break with a tremendous shot from the edge of the area by Pedro Diaz, which hit the crossbar before bouncing over the goalline and then out again, with the VAR awarding the goal after it was not given by the referee.

Real did just enough to manage theirlead afterthe break againsta Rayo side that fought hard and created good chances but lacked firepower to pose a real threat to theLa Liga champions.

Atletico seemed on course for a narrow win against Getafe until Angel Correa`s red card left them exposed in the final stages.

Diego Simeone`s side would have gone top with a victory and Alexander Sorloth struck from the penalty spot after 75 minutes.

However, Atletico forward Correa was sent off and Getafe midfielder Mauro Arambarri scored two late goals to snatch victory for thehosts.

Arambarri stroked home a rebound from close-range in the 88th minute and two minutes into added time he deflected Diego Rico`s shot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak and into the net.

`The match didn`t offer anything, it wasn`t a good match to watch and a really bad performance,` Simeone told DAZN. `I don`t think it was a matter of attitude, the mental side was OK, but it wasn`t a good game by us today.

`Nothing happened in the match. It was a tight game, we had the chance to manage the end better, but it can happen, it`s football...

It happens... Congratulations to the opponent and let`s be calm and accept it... Let`s move forward.

Athletic Bilbao, fourth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Mallorca and are seven points behind Atletico.

-Agencies