First Division - Day 17

Rayo Vallecano 0 - Atlético Madrid 2

Rayo: Yoel; Quini, Zé Castro, Diego Llorente (Miku 89‘), Dorado (Zhang 82‘); Lass (Bebé 71’), Jozabed, Trashorras, Pablo Hernández; Javi Guerra, Manucho. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Jesús Gámez; Koke, Saúl Ńíguez, Oliver Torres (Correa 59‘); Griezmann, Fernando Torres (Thomas 62‘), Carrasco (Jackson Martínez 70‘). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 88. Correa. Ran on to Thomas through ball and poked shot wide of Yoel.
0-2. 90. Griezmann. Picked up Jackson pass and chipped shot over keeper.

Yellow cards: Yoel 32’, Fernando Torres 44’, Llorente 69’, Jesús Gámez 72’, Giménez 74’, Zé Castro 80’.

Atlético Madrid left it late before beating neighbours Rayo Vallecano 0-2 to end the year in joint top spot, just below Barcelona on goal difference. The locals had let in ten goals in their last match against Real Madrid, but coach Paco Jémez kept faith with keeper Yoel, and he made first class saves from Carrasco, Griezmann and Fernando Torres before the break. Saúl, Griezmann and Giménez all went close in the first half as well, but Oblak had to save from Javi Guerra and Lass at the other end either side of half time, and then from Manucho later on in the second half. Yoel did well again to keep out Godín, and the Uruguayan defender headed against the bar as Atlético pushed for the winner. It looked though as if the game was heading for a draw until three minutes from the end, when Thomas put fellow substitute Correa through for him finally beat the local keeper. And just two minutes later another substitute Jackson Martínez slipped the ball through for Griezmann to lift a shot over Yoel for the second. A good fight by Rayo, but a fifth defeat in a row which leaves them in next to bottom spot going in to 2016.