Although their prospects of a 12th title are all but finished for this year, Atleti came out of the traps quickly against their capital city rivals, and took a lead inside three minutes when Alexander Sørloth bullied Florian Lejuene out of the way to nod home Giuliano Simeone’s deep cross from the right.
In truth, the big Norwegian striker could’ve had a hat-trick before the 10-minute mark, with another header sailing over the bar before Augusto Batalla repelled his near-post strike.
Rayo finally settled and had a couple of efforts at the other end through Isi Palazón, the latter of which forced a good save from Jan Oblak. Sørloth was having his way with the visitors’ defence in the first half, as he once again made room for himself with some physicality, but planted his header over from six yards on the half hour mark.
However, the hosts would bookend the half in style, as Conor Gallagher ghosted into the box and met Rodrigo De Paul’s delivery with a glancing header into the bottom corner.
Palazón was testing Oblak again five minutes after the break with a header of his own, but the Atletico captain reacted superbly to tip over the bar. Los Franjirrojos were being afforded chances, but proved wasteful as Andrei Ratiu drifted to the back post but side-footed his volley over the bar.
He was almost made to pay for that by substitute Antoine Griezmann after a skilful set-up by Julián Alvarez, but the Frenchman fired wide.
However, the roles were reversed to deadly effect soon after, as Alvarez was set streaking clear on 77 minutes and coolly side footed home to put the icing on the cake for Diego Simeone’s men.
This defeat is a blow for Iñigo Pérez’s side who sit in 11th place but are just three points off the final European qualification spot, meaning that their chances of just a second-ever continental appearance remain intact for now.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)