Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann leave it late to give Diego Simeone's side a taste of the top... but Fernando Torres' search for 100th goal continues
- Atletico Madrid briefly went top of La Liga with a 2-0 defeat of Rayo Vallecano at the Vallecas stadium
- Former Chelsea striker Fernando Torres failed to score his 100th goal for the club beforebeing substituted
- Angel Correa finished a neat passing move to open the scoring for Diego Simeone's side on 88minutes
- France international Antoine Griezmann made victory certain with a goal in the dying minutes
Atletico Madrid left it late to secure the points that temporarily took them to the top of La Liga following a 2-0 defeat of Rayo Vallecano at the Vallecas stadium.
Having conceded 10 goals to Real Madrid in their previous league game, the hosts kept things tight in the first half despite Atletico having several opportunities to open the scoring, which included former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres' being denied his 100th goal for the club before being substituted.
Chances continued to flow for Diego Simeone's side in the second half, with defender Diego Godin coming closest with a set piece header before Angel Correa finished a neat passing move to break the deadlock on 88 minutes and Antoine Griezmann made certain in the dying moments.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann wheels away after scoring in the dying minutes of their 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano
Griezmann celebrates his late strike with Atletico Madrid team-mate Jackson Martinez who provided the assist
Atletico Madrid substitute Angel Correa (right) came on to finally break the deadlock on 88 minutes
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, who is a contender for the Chelsea job, saw his side go top of La Liga
Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres (right) failed to net his 100th goal for Atletico Madrid
Despite conceding so many goals against Real, Rayo No 1 Yoel Rodriguez was inspired form with superb saves from Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and Torres in the first half as well as denying Atletico captain Diego Godin with an astonishing reflex stop after the interval.
The title-chasing visitors bossed the game, with Saul Niguez and Jose-Maria Gimenez going close in the opening 10 minutes - while Ferreira-Carrasco and France international Antoine Griezmann both spurned chances in the first half.
Torres' best opportunity to reach a landmark century for the club where he started his career came when he bustled into the penalty area only to see his looped effort saved by Yoel.
The hosts, who are renowned for their attacking adventure, were more positive after the interval with Atletico No 1 Jan Oblak being forced into making important saves from Javi Guerra and Lass Bangoura.
Both sides wasted opportunities as the game drew on but, with time running down, Simeone turned to countryman Correa and the substitute duly broke the deadlock by lashing home from Thomas Partey's clipped pass on 88 minutes.
France international Griezmann added a second moments later when he raced on to another substitute Jackson Martinez's pass to lift a beautiful chipped shot over Yoel to send Atletico briefly above Real Madrid at the top of the table.
That lead, however, was short-lived after Barcelona defeated Real Betis 4-0 later on Wednesday - with Lionel Messi scoring on his 500th appearance for the Catalans - to return to the top on goal difference.
Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann is scythed down by Ray Vallencano defender Diego Llorente during the opening exchanges
Rayo Vallecano's Alhassanne Bengoura (left) races down the touchline while being patrolled by Atletico defender Diego Godin
Atletico Madrid's Yannick Carrasco (right) fires in a shot under pressure during the first half stalemate
Torres (centre) competes in an aerial duel with Rayo Vallecano's Jozabed Sanchez as the hosts keep it tight in the first half
Rayo Vallecano forward Alberto Manucho (top) is upended by the uncompromising Godin as the hosts strive to break the deadlock
Griezmann holds his head in his hand after seeing another opportunity go begging for Atletico Madrid
Atletico captain Godin tussles for the ball with Manucho of Rayo Vallecano in front of a colourful backdrop
Rayo Vallecano's Manucho rises to clear the ball as Atletico continue to exert pressure after the interval
Godin reacts after missing the chance to hand Atletico Madrid the lead with a set piece header late in the game
Correa celebrates the opening goal after Atletico Madrid finally break down the host's defence at the Vallecas stadium
The Argentine striker rushes to embrace Atletico team-mate Thomas Partey - whose clipped pass led to the opening goal
Atletico Madrid forwards Angel Correa (left) and Griezmann changed the complexion of the game in the space of a two minutes
Griezmann races to thank Atletico substitute Martinez for providing the pass that led to his late goal
The pair embrace on the pitch as Atletico Madrid supplant Real at the top of the table - before Barcelona overtook them later in the day
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