Real Madrid remain in second spot in LaLiga after a frustrating goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening.
Talisman Jude Bellingham, who bagged a brace in El Clasico, headlined Los Blancos' starting line-up and was joined in attack by Joselu and Vinicius Junior, while Luka Modric was recalled to the midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.
Rayo were very fortunate not to trail on five minutes after a loose pass saw Valverde make in-roads into the box and fire in a shot, but goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski parried.
Joselu, who was given a rare start, looked to make the most of it when he rose high to meet a cross from Modric but in the end nodded wide.
Madrid remained on the ascendancy minutes in the half and saw Fran Garcia worked the tightest of angles to slam wide of the top corner from a move involving Camavinga.
Joselu was on the cusp again a few minutes before halftime where a cutback out on the left by Vinicius saw the Spanish international drew a superb save off Dimitrievski.
Los Blancos continued to have the lion share of chances in the second half, but the likes of Vinicius, Fran Garcia and Bellingham were not able to capitalise and make the net bulge.
Vinicius did though find the net a little in the second period when he finished off a lay-off from Joselu from a tight angle, but it didn't count due to an offside.
Madrid made their first substitution with under 20 minutes to play as the skipper Modric made way for Rodrygo Goes.
Los Blancos continued to go on the attack following the closing minutes with a close-range flick by Rodrygo, but Dimitrievski collected to ensure his side left the Spanish capital with a point.
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