Atletico Madrid minimize the hole on second place Real Madrid to simply two factors with a 2-1 win over 10-man Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in La Liga.
Valencia fell to a dangerous 2-1 defeat at Almeria which leaves them within the relegation zone, whereas nine-man Real Betis misplaced 2-0 at dwelling in opposition to Cadiz, denting their bid for Champions League soccer.
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Defenders Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso struck first-half targets two minutes aside to place Atletico right into a dominant place at Vallecas.
Rayo had defender Florian Lejeune despatched off within the second half for an expert foul on Alvaro Morata, permitting Atletico to walk, however Fran Garcia’s highly effective drive gave the hosts some hope within the ultimate phases.
Atletico held on to maintain up the stress on their rivals, champions Real Madrid, who misplaced 3-2 at dwelling in opposition to Villarreal on Saturday.
Diego Simeone’s aspect have been in excellent kind in 2023, unbeaten of their final 12 league video games, profitable 9 of these matches.
“The very first thing we did was take inventory of what we weren’t doing properly,” Hermoso told DAZN, when asked about his side’s form.
“We wanted to turn around the situation, which wasn’t nice, and we know what Atletico’s shirt means, what it demands.”
The Rojiblancos took the lead after a slick break, with Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann combining properly earlier than the latter performed a fantastic go to Morata.
The striker nudged the ball onto Molina, racing up on the suitable, who swept the ball dwelling to web his first objective for the membership.
Molina devoted his strike to team-mate Angel Correa, absent from the squad after his mom died this week, elevating the Argentine’s quantity 10 shirt into the air.
“We know what ‘Angelito’ means to us, how laborious it have to be to undergo a second like this, and the crew dedicates this win, with all of the love on the earth, to his household, to his individuals,” added Hermoso.
Atletico soon grabbed their second with Hermoso heading home from Carrasco’s corner for his fourth goal of the season.
After Lejeune was dismissed Atletico cruised, with Griezmann, Morata and Marcos Llorente all missing chances.
However Garcia smashed past Jan Oblak from distance in the 85th minute to give Atletico a scare, but they saw the game out to move six points ahead of Real Sociedad in fourth and put Real Madrid firmly within their sights.
Rayo, ninth, have failed to earn a victory in their last eight league games.
“We were having a good game, then they scored their first goal which gave them wings,” Rayo midfielder Oscar Valentin informed DAZN.
“We are calm as a result of we all know the crew is competing properly in each recreation and in the end these three factors will come, which can convey calm.”
Cadiz down Real Betis
Nine-man Real Betis fell to a shock home defeat by Cadiz, leaving Manuel Pellegrini’s side sixth in La Liga.
After Villarreal’s win on Saturday, they leapfrogged Betis, who could not go back ahead of Quique Setien’s side as they stumbled in an Andalucian derby.
Betis playmaker Sergio Canales made his comeback after being given a reprieve from a four-game ban by court order, but it only lasted 38 minutes.
The Spaniard was sent off for pulling down Ruben Sobrino and stopping the Cadiz forward from running through on goal.
Ruben Alcaraz sent Cadiz ahead with a penalty and they doubled their lead when Theo Bongonda broke away and unselfishly teed up Chris Ramos to tap home his first goal for the club.
Betis were soon reduced to nine men on a miserable afternoon for the hosts as Aitor Ruibal twice swung his elbow at Fali and was dismissed.
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“I’m sorry team, fans, Real Betis,” wrote Canales on Twitter.
“Today I made a mistake, a grave error, and I’m answerable for the defeat.
“I’ve to be self-critical and hold working like by no means earlier than that can assist you.”
Vedat Muriqi hit a brace, including a stoppage-time penalty, to rescue Real Mallorca a 3-3 draw at Real Valladolid.
On Monday leaders Barcelona can move 15 points clear with a win against Girona.
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