Monday, November 4, 2013
The €100m Wales winger followed up Wednesday's two goals and two assists in the 7-3 win at home to Sevilla when he set up Ronaldo and Benzema with two excellent crosses.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's expensively-assembled side were unable to control the match against their lowly city neighbours and were left reeling when Jonathan Viera struck twice from the spot in three minutes after fouls by Pepe and Marcelo.
A valiant Rayo came close to an equaliser several times and Real goalkeeper Diego López saved his team when he tipped an Alberto Bueno shot onto the post in the 65th minute.
Real's defensive failings will concern Ancelotti but the win trimmed the gap to second-placed Atlético Madrid to two points ahead of Atlético's game at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Unbeaten champions Barcelona are top with 34 points from 12 matches after their 1-0 win at home to Espanyol in Friday's Catalan derby, with Atlético on 30 and Real on 28.
In the earlier kickoff, Real Sociedad showed off their attacking prowess ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against visitors Manchester United when the Basque club won 5-0 at home to 10-man Osasuna to climb to seventh.
