Real Madrid got back to winning ways in LaLiga following a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening.
Jude Bellingham made a welcome return from suspension as Los Blancos saw Andriy Lunin, Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba come in for Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde.
A slow start saw the host in a spot of bother when Lunin struggled to deal with a corner and invited Aridane Hernandez to take aim off the head, but he missed target.
Los Blancos squandered a big chance earlier on after a low shot from the area by Vinicius clipped against the upright from a link up with Rodrygo.
Kylian Mbappe bagged his 18th league goal of the season after darting inside of centre-back Florian Lejeune for a powerful finish into the bottom-corner.
Vinicius made it two a while later after combining with Luka Modric to come inside and slamming well beyond Augusto Batalla.
Rayo pulled one back just before halftime as a quick one-two on the edge of the box allowed Pedro Diaz to take one touch and thumped in off the underside of the bar.
The visitors remained buoyant after the interval and charged up-field to attempt an opening, but the defending champions managed to clear their lines.
Mbappe enjoyed a lot of the ball and threatened a brace with a teasing low shot from a clever position around the danger area.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti refreshed personnel inside the closing quarter and removed Rodrygo to summon Valverde on the park.
Los Blancos continued to have the majority of chances late on as Vinicius missed a golden chance with the goal in sight after Modric's pass across the face of goal.
Nevertheless, Madrid still went on to secure the win and moved level on points with FC Barcelona at the top of the table.