La Liga frontrunners Real Madrid held to goalless stalemate by Rayo Vallecano

At the top of La Liga, Real Madrid found themselves stalled in a tense 0-0 stalemate away to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, handing title holders Barcelona an opening to narrow the gap.

Xabi Alonso's squad extended their lead over second placed Villarreal to five points and held a six point advantage above the Catalans in third, who face Celta Vigo later in the day.

In this local derby, Rayo put up a fierce resistance, and while Real Madrid created more openings, the home team also squandered chances in a gritty encounter.

The visitors successfully contained La Liga's leading marksman Kylian Mbappe, while also neutralising the threats from Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

After their midweek Champions League setback against Liverpool at Anfield, Madrid aimed to recover, but this marked just their second league draw of the campaign under Alonso.

"We aim to keep developing and refining our game through honest and productive reflection. This is Real Madrid, everyone understands our position and our goals," Alonso shared with the press.

"November is upon us, plenty of matches remain, we must hold ourselves to high standards yet remain balanced in our approach."

Inigo Perez's Rayo started with real energy, striking first when Andrei Ratiu shot directly at Real Madrid's keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Following that, Madrid gradually assumed dominance, yet the mid table hosts stood resolute at their Vallecas ground.

Raul Asencio nodded astray from a promising spot, and Batalla produced an excellent reflex stop to deny a Vinicius attempt.

Rayo effectively denied Madrid's star Mbappe service, leaving the French forward short of his typical menace.

At the break, Madrid's Alonso introduced Eder Militao in place of the cautioned Dean Huijsen, mindful of the dangers posed by Isi Palazon and Jorge de Frutos.

De Frutos nearly scored shortly after the restart, stealing in at the front post amid defenders to connect with Pacha Espino's delivery and strike the outside of the net.

Bellingham drew a solid stop from Batalla at the upright following a superb control to settle the ball, as he sought to build on his hot streak in front of goal.

Mbappe registered his initial shot around the hour, the first occasion Rayo allowed him space, curling it past the far upright.

Batalla parried a long range strike from Fede Valverde, while Alvaro Garcia blazed over in reply as Rayo pushed for a winner.

In the closing minutes, Alonso brought on Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the England man steadily regaining match sharpness post injury.

Madrid's Arda Guler almost forced a late breakthrough in added time, his shot diverted for a corner, though Rayo clung on for the draw.

"The team's effort pleased me, and we created moments to secure all three points ourselves," Rayo Vallecano's custodian Augusto Batalla said to DAZN.

"To match the quality gap with them, we need extra effort, but they were equally committed, showing plenty of drive."