MADRID: Rayo Vallecano recovered from back-to-back defeats in the ongoing La Liga 2023/24 to thump Alaves 2-0 at home on Friday.
The home side got off to a flying start when Isi Palazon converted a penalty just two minutes before half-time after winger Alvaro Garcia was fouled in the area.
Garcia once again played a pivotal role in his team’s goal as he provided a fine assist for Jorge de Frutos, who doubled Rayo Vallecano’s lead in the 82nd minute.
This victory will serve as a major morale booster for Francisco Rodríguez’s side, who replaced Andoni Iraola as the latter left to take over Bournemouth in the off-season.
Rayo Vallecano were on a two-match losing streak, having succumbed to a 0-1 loss against Real Betis and a 0-7 thrashing by Atletico Madrid on August 29.
Both Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid took the field without a loss in their previous two La Liga games, however, the visitors gained an early advantage as Antoine Griezmann scored in the second minute into the game courtesy of Rodrigo De Paul’s assist.
Watch LA LIGA 2023/24 Live on ARY ZAP
Rodrigo De Paul also attempted to score a goal of his own, but his attempt was missed.
Rayo Vallecano made two vain attempts before Atletico Madrid’s Memphis Depay extended the lead to 2-0 at the 16-minute mark.
Rodrigo De Paul made another assist in the 36th minute as Nahuel Molina scored the third goal for Atletico Madrid.
The home side made two attempts before the first half but failed to get a goal over Atletico.
The game appeared to be over at 3-0 in the first half but the visitors did not slow down, and struck the fourth goal in the 73rd minute thanks to Álvaro Morata.
The fifth goal came a mere six minutes later as Ángel Correa netted from outside the box.
Ángel Correa assisted Álvaro Morata to score another goal in the 84th minute before Marcos Llorente hit the final nail in the coffin with the seventh goal only two minutes later to hand a humiliating defeat to Rayo Vallecano.
This was the biggest-ever away win in La Liga for Atletico Madrid.
READ: Teenager Lamine Yamal’s star rising as Barcelona host Real Betis