Real Madrid paid for defensive lapses as they were held to a 3-3 draw by local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, missing out on a chance to leapfrog leaders Barcelona in LaLiga.

Madrid are second on 37 points from 17 games, one behind Barça, who host Leganes on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid, third on 35 from 16, host Getafe. Rayo are 13th on 20 points.

Rayo stunned the champions with a goal on the counterattack after four minutes when Jorge de Frutos ran past Fran García and crossed for the unmarked Unai López, whose header beat Thibaut Courtois at the far post.

They doubled their lead in the 36th minute when Abdul Mumin was left unmarked behind Lucas Vázquez and slotted home from a corner.

However, Federico Valverde's thunderous long-range strike brought Madrid back into the game three minutes later and Rodrygo found Jude Bellingham, who fired home from inside the area, to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Rodrygo came close to scoring on the stroke of half-time with an angled shot that forced Augusto Batalla into a reflex save.

The Brazil international was not to be denied, however, and put Real ahead in the 56th minute with a deflected shot from the edge of the area.

Ancelotti brought on Vinícius Júnior to provide the spark Real lacked and Batalla made a fine save to deny him, before Arda Güler had a goal ruled out for offside minutes later.

Madrid looked in control and appealed for a penalty for a foul on Vinícius Júnior, which was waved away, before Rayo broke the deadlock again when Isi Palazón weaved his way between defenders Antonio Ruediger and Aurélien Tchouaméni to head home a cross.

Ancelotti's men continued to push for a win, but Batalla denied Vinícius Júnior and substitute Endrick, and Rudiger wasted a clear chance late on as Madrid settled for a draw that could prove costly in the title race.