Real Madrid handed their 1st loss, defeat send Barcelona to top of Spanish La Liga

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Spanish La Liga's title contenders Real Madrid were handed their first loss of the season as a 3-2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Monday evening sent Barcelona to the top of the league.

The first half of the Madrid derby was 2-2 at Rayo Vallecano's Vallecas Stadium.

Santiago Comesana scored the opener for Rayo Vallecano, but Real Madrid came back from 1-0 deficit after Luka Modric scored from penalty and Eder Militao netted a header for the visitors.

Alvaro Garcia leveled the match near the end of the first half, firing a left-footed volley. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could not parry it.

Rayo Vallecano took the lead again after a penalty that was re-taken by Oscar Trejo in the 67th minute.

The home team secured a 3-2 win to end Real Madrid's unbeaten streak.

Second-placed Real Madrid now have 32 points in 13 matches.

Barcelona have collected 34 points to lead the La Liga.

Real Madrid's French star Karim Benzema missed his team's last three matches due to muscular problems.

Without Benzema, Real Madrid drew with Girona 1-1 at home.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano increased their points to 21 to move to the eighth spot in the league table.

After matchday 14 this week, the Spanish league will enter a must break as the 2022 FIFA World Cup is approaching.

The tournament in Qatar will begin on Nov. 20, and go through to Dec. 18.