Real Madrid dropped points for the second time in three LaLiga matches after being held to a 1-1 draw by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday afternoon.
Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia and Joselu returned to see Rodrygo Goes, Toni Kroos, Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal vacate on the back of Madrid's win at RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
Joselu capped his return in style when he beat the offside trap on three minutes to tap in Federico Valverde's cross, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) overturning the initial offside call.
The opener came at the same time the host had the chance to go ahead through Raul de Tomas from a move high and wide, but somehow fumbled and led Madrid to a quick turnover to go profit.
Rayo got a lifeline in the midway period when Eduardo Camavinga conceded a penalty following a hand-ball as VAR intervened, and de Thomas made no mistake with a top-drawer finish.
Valverde showed immense fortitude later to halftime and hit the foot of the post through a powerful first-time shot from the area after meeting a loose ball off a corner-kick.
Madrid were on the edge minutes in the second half with Aurelien Tchouameni's casualty in possession inviting Alvaro Garcia, but the Frenchman recovered timeously to thwart.
The league leaders still had the superior momentum through Camavinga's surging run before making way for Kroos whilst Rodrygo replaced Brahim Diaz.
Kroos could've had a telling impact off the dugout from a well-taken free-kick on the area, but Stole Dimitrievski pushed across the area and flapped away.
Real were down to ten-men five minutes in added time when substitute Carvajal's indiscretion on Kike Perez led to a second booking in quick succession, as it finished honours even.
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