Review: Rayo stuns Atletico as Betis sends Mallorca into bottom three in La Liga

MADRID, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Rayo Vallecano delivered a statement victory on Sunday, thumping Atletico Madrid 3-0 in a match that will be remembered as much for the scoreline as for the circumstances surrounding it. The rout came only three days after Diego Simeone’s side produced an eye-catching first-leg triumph over FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals, highlighting the stark contrast between Atletico’s mid-week flair and their weekend frailty away from home.

With the Vallecas pitch ruled unplayable, the contest was relocated, yet the change of venue did nothing to disrupt Rayo’s intensity. Simeone opted for heavy rotation, but the lineup remained laden with recognizable talent, making the eventual margin of defeat all the more galling for the visitors. From the opening whistle Rayo seized the initiative, pressing high and converting chances with clinical precision to build an insurmountable lead.

Atletico’s rearguard, reshuffled yet experienced, had no answer as Rayo’s forwards sliced through the defense time and again. Each goal further deflated the Rojiblancos, who rarely threatened a response and never looked capable of overturning the momentum. By the final whistle the 3-0 scoreline felt both deserved and ominous for Simeone, whose side now must regroup quickly if they hope to keep pace at the top of La Liga.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Real Betis compounded Mallorca’s misery, dealing the islanders a defeat that shoved them into the relegation zone. The result leaves Mallorca in the bottom three, intensifying the pressure on the squad and coaching staff with the season’s decisive stretch approaching.

For Rayo, the victory represents more than three points; it is a declaration that they can compete with the league’s heavyweights. For Atletico, it is a sobering reminder that progress in cup competitions offers little insulation against league-day lapses. With the title race tightening and relegation battles intensifying, every matchday now carries heightened stakes across the Spanish top flight.