Rayo Vallecano delivered a monumental upset on February 15, 2026, stunning Atletico Madrid with a dominant 3-0 victory in La Liga. Goals from Fran Pérez, Óscar Valentín, and Nobel Mendy secured a memorable win at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.
Rayo, 18th in La Liga and battling relegation, faced a formidable third-place Atletico Madrid. Historically, Atletico had dominated this fixture, unbeaten in fifteen previous encounters. This set a challenging stage for the home side.
Atletico attempted to control the game, enjoying 58% possession. Rayo’s defense stood firm, however, denying clear-cut opportunities. Frustrations surfaced early when Atletico's J. Cardoso received a yellow card in the 29th minute.
Against the run of play, Rayo broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Fran Pérez latched onto an incisive pass from Andrei Rațiu, drilling his shot past Jan Oblak. The home crowd erupted as Rayo seized an unexpected lead.
The atmosphere intensified just before halftime. Óscar Valentín doubled Rayo’s advantage in the 45th minute, scoring a crucial goal. Atletico was left reeling, trailing by two goals as the whistle blew.
Diego Simeone faced a huge challenge at halftime, needing to inspire a dramatic turnaround from his Atletico side. Rayo aimed to maintain their defensive shape and capitalize on counter-attacks. The second half promised a fierce battle.
Atletico started the second half with renewed urgency, but their efforts met stubborn resistance. R. Mendoza picked up a yellow card in the 52nd minute. Diego Simeone reacted swiftly, making a triple substitution in the 56th.
Rayo's manager also responded with tactical changes, introducing three substitutions in the 64th minute. These moves helped consolidate their lead. Atletico's M. Llorente then received a yellow card in the 70th minute.
The hosts sealed their emphatic victory in the 76th minute. Substitute Nobel Mendy found the back of the net, assisted by Álvaro García, extending Rayo's lead to an unassailable 3-0. This third goal extinguished Atletico's hopes.
Rayo Vallecano demonstrated exceptional efficiency, scoring three goals from nine shots on target. Their expected goals (xG) stood at 1.56, surpassing Atletico's 1.1 xG despite holding 42% possession. Jan Oblak made six crucial saves.
This historic 3-0 triumph provides Rayo Vallecano with vital points in their fight for La Liga survival. For Atletico Madrid, it represents a significant setback and a rare humbling defeat, forcing them to re-evaluate their form.
