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Gareth Bale scored four in one game for the first time in his career

Gareth Bale scored four goals as Real Madrid hit nine-man Rayo Vallecano for double figures in a remarkable game.

Real trailed before Tito's red card - Danilo putting the hosts ahead before headers from Antonio Amaya and Jozabed.

Bale levelled with a header before Raul Baena was sent off in conceding a penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo scored.

As the game opened up, Bale added three more, Ronaldo scored a second and Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick - including number 10.

Real boss Rafael Benitez has been under pressure after losing three of their last five La Liga games.

But it remains to be seen if the farcical circumstances of their win over neighbours Rayo will ease much of that, as they were playing poorly before the sendings off.

It was the first time they hit double figures in a La Liga match since 1960, when they beat Elche 11-2.

Real remain two points off leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who both have a game in hand.

An incredible win but a freak result

Gareth Bale was brought off for full-back Arvalo Arbeloa with 16 minutes left

Real Madrid's win will never be forgotten by anyone who watched the game - but remarkably Benitez will still be under pressure.

Whistles were ringing out at the Bernabeu from unhappy home fans at 1-1 - moments before Jozabed put Madrid minnows Rayo into the lead. But the game changed when Tito was deservedly sent off for a dangerous studs-up, two-footed tackle on Toni Kroos.

And after Ronaldo made it 3-2 from the spot against nine men in the 30th minute, double figures always felt as a possibility as Real were able to launch attack after attack with limited options in defence for Rayo.

How the goals went in

Karim Benzema (left) has scored 15 goals in as many Real Madrid matches this season

Real Madrid lead 1-0: Bale plays in Danilo to fire past Yoel

Rayo Vallecano level 1-1: Amaya heads home from a corner

Rayo Vallecano lead 2-1: Moments later Jozabed scores a second header

Read Madrid level 2-2: Bale heads home against 10 men

Real Madrid lead 3-2: Raul Baena holds onto Sergio Ramos' shirt and gets a second booking. Ronaldo scores the penalty

4-2: Bale is given space to run in on goal and slots home his second

5-2: Unmarked Benzema scores early in the second half

6-2: Ronaldo, with no defenders around him, heads home

7-2: Ronaldo crosses to Bale - in plenty of space - for his hat-trick. Benzema was standing behind him ready to pounce

8-2: Bale tries to find Ronaldo but his attempted pass is deflected back to him and he fires home

9-2: Unmarked Benzema converts Luka Modric's pass

10-2: In the final minute, Benzema gets his hat-trick and makes it 10 from 16 yards

Social media reaction

The view from the Bernabeu

Radio Marca's Juan Castro told BBC World Service: "At 11 v 11, Rayo were 2-1 up. Right now Rafa Benitez is not wanted by the Bernabeu. Even after the match people are not happy.

"The sensation of the game and the style, the relationship with the players is not the best. But if they keep on winning he'll remain coach of Real Madrid.

"It's not the right moment for Jose Mourinho to take over. Who knows in the summer? The fans here are 50-50 for and against Mourinho."