Real Madrid rescues agonizing victory against Rayo Vallecano and Liga F lands on RTVE

In matchday 22 of La Liga, Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu against Rayo Vallecano. The intense and closely contested match ended with a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé in the final minute of regular time, following a foul by Mendy on Brahim. The decisive blow came after a lengthy nine-minute stoppage time, marked by the expulsion of Rayo’s Pathé Ciss and multiple near-misses with two shots hitting the posts.

Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, who scored the first goal, also played a key role but will miss the next match against Valencia due to yellow card accumulation after a controversial action against Ilias Akhomach. Interim Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised his team’s energy and spirit: «It was a victory where the players put in a lot of energy, heart and soul.» Arbeloa also highlighted the fans’ support and the need for more time to better prepare the team after a grueling run of fixtures.

For Rayo Vallecano, Íñigo Pérez acknowledged Madrid’s late dominance but emphasized the team’s collective effort and solid defense, even after being reduced to ten players. Regarding Pathé Ciss’s red card, he stated: «I’d rather he gets sent off for this than for other reasons.» Despite the loss, Rayo remains concerned about their league position, hoping to find solutions to improve their standing.

A notable aspect was the game’s control, with only six of Real Madrid’s 16 shots finding the target, reflecting both teams’ defensive intensity. Additionally, six extra minutes of stoppage time added to the drama at the Bernabéu, culminating in a win that revitalizes Arbeloa’s side in the league.

Parallel to the excitement of the men’s league, RTVE and Teledeporte have announced an agreement to broadcast up to four matches per matchday of Liga F Moeve, Spain’s professional women’s football league, starting the weekend of February 7–8. This new open-access coverage complements paid platforms, offering free content to reach a broader audience.

Liga F president Beatriz Álvarez noted that this partnership «strengthens our commitment to growth, accessibility, and generating interest, visibility, and recognition for our players and clubs.» The professional women’s league features 16 teams from nine Spanish autonomous communities, showcasing stars like Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona) and Misa Rodríguez (Real Madrid).

This push comes at a pivotal moment for women’s football, which has been professional since the 2022 season, aiming to solidify public interest and long-term development. RTVE is betting on a quality product that serves the public and promotes equal opportunities in sports.

Men’s and women’s football in Spain are now experiencing a phase of fierce competition and growing audiences, thanks to thrilling on-pitch battles and expanded media access, promising an exciting season both on and off the field.