Mbappe double helps Real Madrid thump Rayo Vallecano 4–1 in La Liga

Mbappe double helps Real Madrid thump Rayo Vallecano 4–1 in La LigaGoals from Bellingham and Carreras ease pressure on Madrid manager Mourinho after losing their last league game.Kylian Mbappe struck twice to help Real Madrid smash Rayo Vallecano 4-1 and pull level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.Jose Mourinho’s side got back to winning ways on Saturday after a defeat by Real Betis in their previous top-flight outing, with a convincing victory against neighbours Rayo.Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras were also on target for Real Madrid, while Sergio Camello pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half.Champions Barcelona visit Levante on Sunday, looking to extend their 100 percent start to the campaign and restore their lead over Madrid.Mourinho’s side took a commanding three-goal lead against Rayo by half-time.“[It was] fundamental to win, above all after losing the last game in La Liga,” Mourinho said.“We killed the game in the first half – that’s not easy, working like we did after the Champions League game, not just physically, but mentally.”Los Blancos took the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Florian Lejeune clumsily felled Carreras. Mbappe sent Rayo goalkeeper Emil Audero the wrong way.The French forward helped create the second, after Lejeune gave the ball away under pressure from Vinicius Junior. Carreras exchanged passes with Mbappe and drilled home.Handed a first start for Madrid, the club’s record signing Yan Diomande cut inside from the right flank with a rapid dribble that left Rayo’s defence scrambling but lashed his shot high and wide.Bellingham notched Madrid’s third goal and his third of the season after Vinicius charged down the left and cut the ball back for the England international, who has started the season in top form.