Real Madrid welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Bernabeu in La Liga on Sunday afternoon looking to recover from defeat at Villarreal last time out.
An incredible opening 14 minutes saw three goals and one red card arrive. Danilo sent Real Madrid 1-0 ahead, but goals from Antonio Amaya and Jozabed Sanchez turned the game on its head inside 12 minutes.
Rayo were reduced to 10 men in the 14th minute, however, when Tito caught Toni Kroos with a terrible challenge.
The hosts then levelled the scores in the 25th minute when Gareth Bale headed a Danilo cross into the back of the net, before Cristiano Ronaldo made it 3-2 from the penalty spot in the 30th minute following a challenge from Raul Baena, which saw the visitors reduced to nine men.
Bale then added a fourth for Los Blancos in the 41st minute to leave the hosts two goals clear at the break.
Karim Benzema got his name on the scoresheet for five in the 48th minute, before Ronaldo made it six in the 53rd.
Bale had his hat-trick for 7-2 just past the hour, before the Welshman scored his fourth 20 minutes from time.
Benzema was not finished, however, and made it nine in the 80th minute and the Frenchman still had time to complete his hat-trick on what was an incredible afternoon.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome near-neighbours Rayo Vallecano. It is not quite must-win for Real Madrid this afternoon, but anything other than three points would place more questions on the head of head coach Rafael Benitez. Let's hope for a fast-paced derby in both sides' final league match before the winter break.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, it does not make great reading for Rayo. Real Madrid have won each of the last five fixtures between the pair – including a 5-1 victory in the corresponding match last season. Los Blancos also hit five goals against Rayo at the Bernabeu in the 2013-14 campaign and it would not be a surprise to see another comfortable home win here.
Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
RAYO: Yoel; Tito, Ze Castro, Amaya, Nacho; Baena, Trashorras; Jozabed, Lass, Hernandez; Guerra
Isco does not have to rub his eyes in disbelief this afternoon because Toni Kroos is back in the Real Madrid XI. Aside from Raphael Varane, who is still on the sidelines, it is arguably Los Blancos' strongest team, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all starting. James Rodriguez is also in the side, leaving Casemiro, Isco and Mateo Kovacic on the bench for the hosts.
Rayo, meanwhile, are still without the likes of Razvan Rat and Patrick Ebert, but head coach Paco Jemez has sent out an attacking XI. Javi Guerra will lead the line with support from both Lass Bangoura and Pablo Hernandez, while Jozabed will operate in an advanced midfield position.
Both teams are in and we are now little over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Madrid. Real Madrid will remain third regardless of the result here, but victory would move them to within two points of second-place Atletico Madrid, who are not in action until this evening, when they take on Malaga.
As for La Liga leaders Barcelona, they have just won the Club World Cup over in Japan and therefore will have a game in hand over the teams around them when they come back from the winter break. La Liga clubs have all agreed to play one more fixture before the end of 2015, however, which has made the break much shorter than in previous years. Not much of a break for Barcelona at all it must be said!
Real Madrid were beaten 3-2 at Sevilla at the start of November, before losing 4-0 at home to Barcelona in a match that brought more questions than answers. They did respond with a four-game winning run all competitions, but were than beaten 1-0 at Villarreal in the league last time out. In truth, they should have got something from the match with the Yellow Submarine, but that result, added to their recent expulsion from the Copa del Rey, has made it a difficult end to 2015.
The situation is not quite terminal, however, and four of their next five league games are at home. They return to action at home to Real Sociedad on December 30, before travelling to Valencia at the start of 2016. Next come back-to-back home fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon and they would expect to pick up a decent return from that run of games. The next four or five fixtures could also well decide whether Benitez has a long-term future. I hear Jose Mourinho is available!
Goals have not exactly been a problem for Real Madrid this season, with 32 strikes in their 15 matches leaving them second in the scoring stakes behind Barcelona. They have also only conceded 13 times, which on paper, is not a bad record. Inconsistency has been an issue, however, and they have been unable to take many points off the top teams this season. Home matches against sides that they are expected to beat have not been the problem, but they have already been hammered by Barcelona.
Rayo, however, will not have much sympathy for Real's current 'crisis'. Paco Jemez's side have dropped into the relegation zone following a run of four games without a win, but they are currently level on points with 17th-place Granada. In total, they have won four of their 15 games, drawn twice and lost nine.
To put it quite simply, you never know which Rayo is going to turn up. You often get everything, or nothing at all. They can be great, but can also be terrible. The capital side have only scored 16 times in their 15 games this season and have conceded 27, which entering Week 16, was the worst defensive record in the entire division. Those statistics will make uncomfortable reading for the fans!
Since beating Granada 2-1 on November 7, Rayo have drawn at Getafe, lost 3-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao, lost 2-1 at Villarreal and also lost 2-1 at home to struggling Malaga last time out. After this game, Rayo will take on Atletico Madrid, and Valencia will follow before the end of January, making it a very important and tough period of the season for the strugglers. They need a couple of results.
Jemez's position as head coach is also far from secure, with the Spaniard being linked with his national team's managerial role at the end of Euro 2016. Last month, Jemez criticised a section of the Rayo supporters for their conduct during matches and all is not well with the team. More on that here. A hiding in this particular match would place yet more stress and tension on the small capital side.
This is Rayo's fifth straight season in La Liga and after finishing 15th in the 2011-12 campaign, Jemez led them to eighth spot in 12-13. They were then 12th the season after and 11th last term. Relegation has not really been a serious possibility since their return to the top flight, but they will need to buck their ideas up if they are to avoid a return to the Segunda. Little over 10 minutes until kickoff in Madrid!
This morning, Barcelona's front three - Neymar, Suarez and Messi - were sensational in the Club World Cup final against River Plate. Now, what can Real Madrid's 'BBC' do in this match...
PREDICTION! I fancy Real Madrid to win this game quite comfortably. Rayo play some decent football, but I am really struggling to make a case for the capital outfit. If the first goal comes early, it could well up being four or five nil, but I am going to give Rayo the benefit of a 3-0 defeat at the Bernabeu.
Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period at the Bernabeu. The home supporters are expecting a strong performance from their team here, that is for sure.
KICKOFF! You just get the feeling that Rayo need to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes here without conceding if they are to stand a chance of securing a good result. There has to be an improvement from Rayo because they have struggled in recent weeks. Right, it is the home side that kick things off here...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Ramos and Navas exchanging passes before the ball is fed into the middle of the park. Marcelo then releases Ronaldo down the left, but Tito just does enough to poke the ball back to Yoel.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo (Danilo)
Wow! That did not take long then! Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the fourth minute as Bale plays in Danilo, who finds a route under Yoel from inside the box. Rayo were caught too far up the pitch and the counter was just devastating from the home team. Terrible from the visitors though!
Rayo immediately break down the other end with Hernandez, who flashes a low cross into the box, but Navas is on hand to claim. Rayo will continue to drive forward make no mistake about that!
I would be astounded if there were not more goals in this match as the visitors continue to commit players in the final third. Real Madrid have such incredible pace on the counter and Bale already looks in the mood this afternoon. Rayo just cannot afford to concede a second at this stage of the match.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Rayo (Amaya)
All square! Rayo have been on the front foot since conceding and they deserve this leveller. It is a very simple goal as Amaya rises to meet a corner before angling his header past Navas. It is the most straight-forward of goals for the visitors, who have silenced the Bernabeu with that effort.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Rayo (Jozabed)
Oh my good grief! Rayo have turned this game around and it is awful defending from Real Madrid. Jozabed has all sorts of space inside the box to thump his header past Navas. Danilo just watched the Spaniard rise and meet the cross from Hernandez. What on earth happened at the back!
SAVE! Navas now has to get down low to deny Jozabed from a tight angle!
RED CARD! TITO! Rayo are reduced to 10 men as Tito flies into a challenge with Kroos. It was an awful tackle and the referee did not need any thinking time! This incredible game takes another turn!
BOOKING! Trashorras (Rayo) was also booked in the clash that followed.
SAVE! Super stop from Yoel as the Rayo goalkeeper denies Danilo from a wide angle!
Modric strikes one wide of the post as Real Madrid threaten once again in the final third. Is there a chance I can take a second to settle here please? The opening to this match has been incredible!
BOOKING! Baena (Rayo) is now booked for a poor challenge on Kroos.
Bale stands over a free kick outside the Rayo box, but his effort was always straight into Yoel.
RAYO SUB! Hernandez is replaced by Quini here.
Rayo are playing some super football at the moment and Real Madrid do not look capable of dealing with their threat in the final third of the field. Bale manages to carry the ball forward for the home side, but Amaya is across to clear the Welshman's low cross, which was heading for Benzema.
CHANCE! Ramos, all alone, heads over the crossbar from a corner!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Rayo (Bale)
Real Madrid are all square here as Danilo races down the right and delivers a super cross onto the head of Bale, who tucks it home from close range for his fourth goal of the campaign.
BOOKING! Nacho (rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Danilo.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
RED CARD! BAENA!
Oh my good grief! Rayo are down to nine men as Baena is shown a second yellow for grappling with Ramos inside the box. It is a penalty for Real Madrid and Ronaldo has the chance to score here...
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Rayo (Ronaldo, pen)
Ronaldo fires his spot kick into the bottom corner. So, five goals, one penalty, two reds thus far here!
This has been the most outrageous game of football that I have seen in a very, very long time.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and there has been a couple of minutes without a major incident, which is nice. The referee has been involved in everything so far and on second look, that penalty for Real Madrid was very soft it must be said. Real Madrid lead 3-2 with 35 played here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a fourth as Marcelo delivers a super cross into Benzema, but his effort is straight into the arms of the waiting Yoel.
Real Madrid have a shout for another penalty as Amaya goes through the back of Benzema, but the referee is not interested. For me, that was much clearer than the first. The ball is recycled into Modric, but his low effort is wide of the post. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale sweeps a super cross towards Ronaldo, but the 30-year-old cannot make contact and Rayo survive. What an incredible first period this has been!
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Rayo (Bale)
Real Madrid score their fourth in the 41st minute as Bale collects a super pass from James before driving into the box and firing his effort into the bottom corner. This is going to be a big score.
CHANCE! Bale again finds space inside the Rayo box after another cross from Kroos, but his final strike is over the crossbar. Rayo, nine-man Rayo, are all over the place at the back.
Two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
Bale, on the stretch, turns a James cross just wide as the home side continue to threaten.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 4-2 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings this incredible first period to a close with Real Madrid leading nine-man Rayo 4-2. Six goals, one penalty and two red cards - both of which have come to Rayo. The visitors actually led in the 12th minute after an early Danilo strike, but the hosts now lead by two goals!
STATS! Real Madrid have just shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had 13 attempts - six of which have been on target. Rayo, meanwhile, have registered three of their six attempts on target. As mentioned, there have been two reds - Tito and Baena - and a further three yellow cards.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a host of options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Isco, Casemiro, Kovacic and Vasquez all in reserve. Rayo, meanwhile, have already replaced Hernandez with Quini, but the visitors still have options in the shape of Manucho, Bebe and Embarba.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. I am predicting a lot more goals in this match. Right, it is the visitors that get the second half underway...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-2 Rayo (Benzema)
Real Madrid have their fifth of the match as James pokes a low pass into Benzema and the Frenchman takes a touch before finding the bottom corner. Too easy and that is 5-2 Real Madrid.
Yoel is out to smother Ronaldo as the home side look for their sixth of the match.
You have to feel for Rayo. They are used to taking hidings in this stadium, but they only have nine men and could well be humiliated in this second period. Lass is at least showing some pace on the counter, but his strike was straight into the arms of Navas, who collected with ease.
GOAL! Real Madrid 6-2 Rayo (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their sixth and Ronaldo has his second of the match as the 30-year-old heads a simple James cross into the back of the net. You really have to feel for the away side in this game.
It is always nice to see a competitive match and when Rayo took a 2-1 lead, it was set-up for a really good game. However, it has been downhill since the first red and this is a bit embarrassing now.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid have another half-chance when James delivers a super cross towards Benzema, but the ball just bounces away from the Frenchman.
The nine men of Rayo almost score as Lass drives into the box before squaring to Guerra, but Marcelo is back to make the block. The home side are preparing to make their first change here.
It is Vasquez that will soon enter the field for Los Blancos.
GOAL! Real Madrid 7-2 (Bale, hat-trick)
Bale completes his hat-trick as the Welshman turns a low cross from Ronaldo into the back of the net. It is seven for the home team and this could end up being 11 or 12 in the capital.
REAL MADRID SUB! Marcelo is replaced by Lucas Vasquez.
RAYO SUB! Bebe replaces Lass for the visitors.
REAL MADRID SUB! James is replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
Half-chance for the home side to add another as Ronaldo meets a deep cross from Kroos, but his effort was always into the side netting. The pace of the match has just dropped a little here.
Ramos heads into the arms of Yoel as the home side threaten to score an eighth here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 8-2 Rayo (Bale)
The home side have their eighth of the match as Bale drives into the box before playing a one-two with Rayo defender Quini and finishing into the bottom corner. Just a little bit embarrassing now.
BOOKING! Danilo (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Bebe.
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale is replaced by Arbeloa.
Vasquez goes down inside the box and wants a penalty following a late challenge from Nacho, but the referee is not interested. It looked one to me. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining here.
CHANCE! Ronaldo has a super chance to add to the scoring after driving into the Rayo box, but his low effort is wide of the post as the away side prepare to make their final change here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 9-2 Rayo (Benzema)
Nine for Real Madrid as Benzema settles inside the box before finding the bottom corner. It was a super pass from Modric that found the Frenchman and he was never going to miss from there.
RAYO SUB! Ze Castro is replaced by Joni.
Real Madrid need two more goals to equal their best-ever top-flight win and there is still more than enough time for that to arrive as Rayo continue to commit players in the final third here.
Benzema has one blocked wide of the post as Rayo survive this game going into double figures.
Ronaldo looks to work a yard of space inside the box after another quick counter, but Amaya is across to make a fine challenge. Really brilliant from Amaya to show that desire at this stage of the game.
GOAL! Real Madrid 10-2 Rayo (Benzema)
Real Madrid have 10 and Benzema has a hat-trick as the Frenchman collects a chest-down from Kovacic before flashing his effort into the back of the net. Is it over for Rayo yet?! Please.
We are into the second minute of two added here.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 10-2 Rayo
Just unreal. Real Madrid become the first La Liga team to score 10 goals in a match since 1969 following this mauling of Rayo. It was an incredible game in the capital, with the visitors being reduced to nine men in the first half. Real Madrid are still third in the table, but they are now just two points behind the league leaders Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action! Until next time!
