By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo
Atletico Madrid comfortably saw off city rivals Rayo Vallecano with a 3-0 victory in La Liga on Thursday, bouncing back from their shock defeat to Las Palmas last weekend.
Meanwhile, Real Betis delivered a crushing 5-1 win over Real Valladolid, sealing the latter’s relegation back to the Segunda Division.
Although Atletico’s title hopes are all but over, trailing league leaders Barcelona by 10 points with just five games to play, they produced a dominant performance in the Madrid derby.
The hosts made a flying start at the Metropolitano, taking the lead within three minutes.
Giuliano Simeone, son of head coach Diego Simeone, delivered a precise cross for Alexander Sorloth, who headed home at the far post.
Despite a flurry of chances thereafter, the Norwegian striker failed to add to his tally, heading over shortly after his opener and later being denied by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.
Atletico continued to dominate proceedings, but Rayo nearly pulled level when Isi Palazon unleashed a powerful effort that required a sharp stop from Jan Oblak.
Sorloth squandered another aerial chance before midfielder Conor Gallagher doubled Atletico’s advantage just before the break, rising highest to meet Rodrigo de Paul’s floated delivery and nodding past Batalla.
Rayo threatened again after the restart, with Palazon’s header forcing Oblak into action once more. However, Atletico wrapped up the points in the second half when Julian Alvarez slotted in his 15th league goal of the campaign after a smart pass from Antoine Griezmann, who was set up by Alvarez’s inventive backheel moments earlier.
Over in Seville, Real Betis strengthened their push for a top-five finish with an emphatic 5-1 demolition of Real Valladolid at the Benito Villamarin.
Former Real Madrid and Spain star Isco was among the scorers for Betis, who leapfrogged Villarreal into fifth place — although the Yellow Submarine have a game in hand, to be played on Sunday against Espanyol.
For Valladolid, owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo, the result confirmed a swift return to the second tier. Despite gaining promotion last season, the club has endured a torrid campaign, losing 25 of their 33 matches so far.
Earlier in the day, Osasuna edged Sevilla 1-0, while Leganés secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at home to Girona thanks to a late equaliser. Leganés remain 19th in the table, four points from safety, as they battle to avoid relegation.
