Rayo Vallecano 3–0 Atletico Madrid: Shock Result Amid Fan Boycott

Struggling Rayo Vallecano produced one of the surprises of the La Liga season with a commanding 3–0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday — a result played out in front of a sparse crowd of around 5,300 fans due to a supporter boycott.

The defeat marked Atletico’s second consecutive league loss and came just three days after their emphatic 4–0 Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg win over Barcelona. Head coach Diego Simeone rotated his squad following the midweek fixture.

The setback leaves Atletico fourth in La Liga, behind Villarreal, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Real Madrid had already strengthened their position with a 4–1 win at Real Sociedad.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak did not hide his frustration afterward.

“It feels like we've given up in the league,” Oblak said. “You can’t lose games like this and play like this.”

Simeone rejected suggestions that squad rotation signaled a lack of priority.

“The team isn't choosing games. We competed poorly, and when you compete poorly, the opponent plays better and beats you.”

Rayo End Long Winless Run Against Atletico

Rayo had not beaten Atletico in 19 straight meetings dating back to 2013. The victory not only ended that streak but also lifted them out of the relegation zone, snapping a four-game losing run in all competitions.

Goals from Fran Pérez (40’), Óscar Valentín (45’) and Nobel Mendy (76’) sealed an impressive performance. Defender Andrei Ratiu assisted the opener.

The match was held at Butarque Stadium, home of second-division side CD Leganés, due to ongoing pitch issues at Rayo’s Vallecas Stadium. A previous home match had already been postponed because of the playing surface.

Fan Protest Overshadows Occasion

The limited attendance was largely due to a boycott organized by Rayo supporters protesting against club president Martín Presa. Hundreds gathered outside Vallecas Stadium prior to the match, calling for his resignation.

Players, along with Spain’s footballers’ association, have previously voiced concerns over club conditions.

Ratiu acknowledged the unusual atmosphere:

“We always prefer to have the fans close to us, but we respect their decision.”

Butarque, which holds around 12,000 spectators, was noticeably empty as Rayo claimed a crucial three points that moved them up to 16th in the table.

Other La Liga Results

Athletic Bilbao secured a 2–1 win at Real Oviedo with second-half goals from Mikel Jauregizar and Oihan Sancet.

Valencia CF beat city rivals Levante UD 2–0, courtesy of Largie Ramazani and Umar Sadiq, moving Valencia up to 14th while Levante remain 19th.

For Rayo, however, the night belonged to a rare and emphatic derby triumph — achieved despite turmoil off the pitch and the absence of much of their support.