Real Madrid paid for defensive errors as they were held to a 3-3 draw at struggling local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, missing the chance to move past leaders Barcelona in LaLiga.

Madrid is in second place with 27 points from 17 games, one behind Barça, which hosts Leganes on Sunday, while Atlético Madrid, third with 35 from 16 games, hosts Getafe. Rayo is in 13th place with 20 points.

France captain Kylian Mbappé was already missing with a leg muscle injury, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest talisman Vinícius Júnior from the start and Rayo Vallecano took a two-goal lead thanks to errors in the first half.

Rayo stunned the champions with a goal after four minutes on a counterattack when Jorge de Frutos ran past Fran García and then crossed to the unmarked Unai López, whose header was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the far post.

They extended their lead when Abdul Mumin, alone behind Lucas Vázquez, equalized from a corner in the 36th minute.

But three minutes later, a thunderous long-range shot from Federico Valverde brought Madrid back into the game as Rodrygo found Jude Bellingham, who equalized for the first time from inside the box just before half-time.

Rodrygo then almost scored with an angled shot that forced Augusto Batalla into a reflex save shortly after the break.

But the Brazilian international was not discouraged and gave Real the lead in the 56th minute with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Ancelotti brought in Vinícius Júnior to provide the spark. Real were missing and Batalla made a fine save to deny him, while a few minutes later Arda Güler had a goal disallowed for offside.

Madrid appeared to be in control and demanded a penalty for a foul on Vinícius Júnior, which was dismissed, before Rayo stunned them again when Isi Palazón moved between defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni to deflect a cross into the net.

Ancelotti’s side tried to push for victory but Batalla parried efforts from Vinícius Júnior and substitute Endrick, with Rüdiger wasting a clear chance late on as Madrid had to settle for a draw that could prove costly in the title race.