Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano

With a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, Atletico extended its winning streak to five games and closed the gap on second-place Madrid to two points. Atletico Madrid's ninth victory in 11 games came courtesy of goals from Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso, who scored them two minutes apart in the first half. After Florian Lejeune was dismissed from the game for preventing a breakaway in the 62nd minute, Rayo started playing with 10 men.

Due to the outcome, Diego Simeone's club is once again in the running for the crucial second-place berth, which ensures entry into the very lucrative Spanish Super Cup. On Saturday, Madrid fell to Villarreal 3-2 at home. Barcelona, who will visit Girona on Monday, now holds a commanding advantage. It has a 12-point advantage over Madrid and a 14-point advantage over Atletico. In the 18 games played since the World Cup break, Atletico has won 13 of them.