Atletico Madrid delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night, with early and late goals sealing a stress-free evening for Diego Simeone’s men. The win solidifies Atleti’s hold on third place in LaLiga and keeps a flicker of hope alive in their distant title chase.
From the very first whistle, Atletico looked hungry. It took just under three minutes for the hosts to hit the front, as Alexander Sørloth bullied his way past Florian Lejeune and buried a header from Giuliano Simeone’s deep right-sided cross. It was a perfect example of power and positioning—two qualities that Sørloth used to terrorize the Rayo backline all evening.
The Norwegian striker was a constant menace, almost doubling the lead moments later with another header that flew over the bar. He then forced Augusto Batalla into a smart save at the near post as Atleti kept the pressure on.
Rayo Vallecano eventually settled into the rhythm of the game and created a few chances of their own. Isi Palazón was their brightest spark in attack, testing Jan Oblak twice in quick succession. His best effort came with a well-placed header that demanded a strong hand from the Atletico keeper.
But just when it seemed like the visitors might find their footing, Atletico struck again—this time on the stroke of halftime. Rodrigo De Paul swung in a teasing cross from the left and Conor Gallagher, ghosting into the box unmarked, flicked a glancing header beyond Batalla into the far corner. It was a clever finish from the Englishman, who continues to impress in Simeone’s energetic midfield setup.
After the break, Rayo came out with more intent. Palazón again rose to meet a cross with a powerful header, but Oblak was equal to it, acrobatically tipping the ball over the bar. Moments later, Andrei Ratiu snuck in at the back post but failed to keep his volley on target, blasting over the bar when he should have done better.
Simeone reacted by bringing on Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, a move that injected fresh pace and creativity into Atleti’s attack. The pair immediately combined in a silky one-two, with Alvarez setting up Griezmann in front of goal, but the Frenchman’s shot was dragged wide.
What a goal by Julian Alvarez today. He is such a perfect player for us man. This season:
27 Goals
5 Assists
pic.twitter.com/m00pCSl5cU— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) April 24, 2025
It didn’t take long for the duo to flip the script. In the 77th minute, Griezmann turned provider, threading a sharp pass through the Rayo defense to set Alvarez racing clear. The Argentine showed composure beyond his years, calmly side-footing the ball past Batalla to make it 3-0 and put the result beyond doubt.
Three goals and three points at home! pic.twitter.com/m92xiLc9bB
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) April 24, 2025
The goal capped off a well-rounded performance from Simeone’s side, who were solid at the back, sharp in transition, and clinical when it counted. Alvarez’s goal was his first since joining the Madrid club, and the crowd roared in appreciation as he wheeled away in celebration.
For Rayo Vallecano, this result dents their European hopes but doesn’t crush them. Iñigo Pérez’s men remain in 11th place, just three points off the final continental qualification spot. They’ll need to sharpen up in front of goal if they want to turn their promising position into a historic second appearance in European football.
But on the night, the headlines belonged to Atletico Madrid. Sørloth’s dominance, Gallagher’s timing, and Alvarez’s finish showcased a team that, while likely out of the title race, still carries plenty of firepower and fight. The passion in the stadium, the aggression on the pitch, and the unity in every move all underlined why this team remains one of LaLiga’s toughest to break down.
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