MADRID, Feb 16, 2026 (V7N) - Rayo Vallecano cruised to a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga, leaving Diego Simeone’s side 15 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Forced to host the match at Leganes’s Butarque stadium due to pitch problems at Vallecas, Rayo struck through Fran Perez, Oscar Valentin and Nobel Mendy to secure a deserved triumph. Atletico, who had thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey midweek, slumped to their third straight league game without a win.

“It seems like the league has slipped away,” admitted goalkeeper Jan Oblak. “We can’t lose games like this. Today they were much better, congratulations to them.” Simeone, who rotated his squad ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off against Club Brugge, said: “We didn’t have a good match, the opponent was better. Let’s think about what’s coming.”

Rayo coach Inigo Perez praised his players’ resilience amid ongoing disputes over club management and facilities. The win lifted Rayo to 17th place, one point clear of the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Real Betis boosted their Champions League hopes with a 2-1 win at Mallorca, thanks to goals from Ez Abde and Cedric Bakambu. Vedat Muriqi pulled one back for the hosts, scoring his 16th of the season, but Mallorca remain 18th.

Valencia defeated Levante 2-0 in a derby clash to move up to 14th. On Monday, champions Barcelona visit Girona, aiming to reclaim top spot after Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

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