Atlético easily defeated Rayo in Vallecas (1-2) and are closing in on Real Madrid in the race for second place, from which only two points separate them. Simeone's men ruled in two minutes of the first half, from 22 to 24, with two goals in quick succession, the first by Molina on a counter and the second by Mario Hermoso with a header after finishing a corner.
The match was complicated for Rayo in the 62nd with the expulsion of Lejeune for a straight red. In the 85th Fran García scored with a long shot.
In a very entertaining match, Mallorca took a point from Zorrilla after drawing (3-3) against Valladolid in extra time thanks to a penalty converted by Muriqi. The match had everything and could have gone either way. Valladolid took the lead in the first half with a goal from Kike Pérez. The second half was crazy. Muriqi and Morlanes scored 1-2 in the 53rd and 58th, but Pezzolano's team jumped on top with everything and managed to overturn the scoreboard with goals from Amalah and Monchu. A hand by Larín inside the area, which the referee did not see, but the VAR did end up with a penalty that marked Muriqi in the 94th for the 3-3 final.
At Villamarín, Cádiz gave the big surprise and prevailed 0-2 against Betis, who finished with nine players due to straight reds to Canals and Ruibal. The Cadiz goals were the work of Alcaraz from a penalty and Chris Ramos on the counter.
On the other hand, at the Jocs del Mediterrani stadium, Almeria defeated (2-1) a Valencia that does not raise its head. Melero and Babic scored for the locals and Samu Castillejo for Valencia.
