<p>A late goal from Karim Benzema rescued a 1-0 win for Real Madrid at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and allowed the LaLiga leaders to extend their advantage at the top of the standings.</p>.<p>They are now nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla, who will play third-placed Real Betis on Sunday.</p>.<p>Real Madrid looked slow and disjointed at Vallecas and were almost held to a goalless draw until Benzema and Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid's top two scorers this season, worked their magic seven minutes from time.</p>.<p>The French striker found Vinicius with a brilliant through pass and ran into space to receive the ball back and finish from close range with a single touch, scoring his 19th league goal of the season.</p>.<p>LaLiga top scorer Benzema and Vinicius have now between them scored 32 of the team's 52 goals this season.</p>.<p>Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made two magnificent saves in the second half, keeping out a bullet header from Mario Suarez and a close-range shot from Alvaro Garcia.</p>.<p>"It was a complicated game mostly due to the field being in very poor condition," Courtois told reporters referring to the pitch were large sections were threadbare.</p>.<p>"I don’t think it’s good for LaLiga’s image to play in a field like this... It's far from ideal. Good for us that Benzema and Vinicius are in-form. After four years together they reached a level of connection that is incredible."</p>.<p>Rayo players were also far from happy when referee Isidro Diaz de Mera failed to send off midfielder Casemiro despite a studs-up challenge on Oscar Valentin. The incident was reviewed but VAR allowed the yellow card shown by the referee to stand.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>A late goal from Karim Benzema rescued a 1-0 win for Real Madrid at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and allowed the LaLiga leaders to extend their advantage at the top of the standings.</p>.<p>They are now nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla, who will play third-placed Real Betis on Sunday.</p>.<p>Real Madrid looked slow and disjointed at Vallecas and were almost held to a goalless draw until Benzema and Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid's top two scorers this season, worked their magic seven minutes from time.</p>.<p>The French striker found Vinicius with a brilliant through pass and ran into space to receive the ball back and finish from close range with a single touch, scoring his 19th league goal of the season.</p>.<p>LaLiga top scorer Benzema and Vinicius have now between them scored 32 of the team's 52 goals this season.</p>.<p>Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made two magnificent saves in the second half, keeping out a bullet header from Mario Suarez and a close-range shot from Alvaro Garcia.</p>.<p>"It was a complicated game mostly due to the field being in very poor condition," Courtois told reporters referring to the pitch were large sections were threadbare.</p>.<p>"I don’t think it’s good for LaLiga’s image to play in a field like this... It's far from ideal. Good for us that Benzema and Vinicius are in-form. After four years together they reached a level of connection that is incredible."</p>.<p>Rayo players were also far from happy when referee Isidro Diaz de Mera failed to send off midfielder Casemiro despite a studs-up challenge on Oscar Valentin. The incident was reviewed but VAR allowed the yellow card shown by the referee to stand.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>