Rayo Vallecano 3-0 Atletico Madrid Player Ratings: Los Franjirrojos Cruise Past Atletico Madrid 3-0 in Commanding Home Win

In what can only be described as a stunning demolition, Rayo Vallecano dismantled a bewildered Atlético Madrid with a 3-0 victory in La Liga. This match was a tactical masterclass from the home side. They were hungrier, sharper, and simply better in every department. The match was effectively won in a blistering six-minute spell before halftime.

Fran Pérez broke the deadlock with a cool finish. Then, just before the whistle, captain Óscar Valentín doubled the lead, sending the home crowd into delirium. It was a blow from which Atlético never recovered.

We watched as Simeone's men, usually so resolute, looked disjointed and bereft of ideas. The second half saw a flurry of changes, but the damage was done. Nobel Mendy capped off a phenomenal personal performance by heading in a third, sealing a famous win in this memorable match and leaving Atlético to ponder a truly awful day at the office. Here are Sportsdunia's Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid player ratings.

Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Check out the Rayo Vallecano player ratings vs Atletico Madrid.

Goalkeeper

Augusto Batalla - 7.5: Had a surprisingly quiet first half but was called into action more after the break. Made three crucial saves inside the box to preserve his clean sheet. Commanded his area well, claiming high balls and punching clear when needed. What stood out to us was his composure and distribution under pressure. A very solid performance.

Defenders

Andrei Rațiu - 8.0: A fantastic display from the right-back. He provided the assist for the opening goal with a brilliant run and cross. He wasn't just an attacking threat; he was diligent in his defensive duties, making 9 ball recoveries and 3 clearances. He was a constant outlet on the right flank and a real livewire throughout.

Florian Lejeune - 8.0: A rock at the back. Won 7 of his 9 duels and was an aerial monster. His reading of the game was superb, making 3 interceptions and 7 clearances to snuff out Atlético's attacks. We noticed his passing range was also a key asset, launching attacks from deep with precision. He was a leader in that backline.

Nobel Mendy - 9.0: Our Man of the Match. An absolutely colossal performance from the central defender. Defensively, he was flawless, with 6 clearances and a 100% tackle success rate. To cap it all off, he rose highest to power home a header for the third goal. His 90% pass accuracy shows his calmness on the ball. A complete performance.

Alfonso Espino - 7.5: Tenacious and full of energy down the left. He won 6 duels and drew three fouls, constantly frustrating the opposition. Even made a clearance off the line, a game-saving contribution. While he was dribbled past a few times, his commitment and work rate were undeniable. A warrior-like effort.

Midfielders

Isi Palazón - 7.0: The captain was influential in the first hour. He was always looking to create, even if his big chance went begging. He linked play effectively and his movement caused problems for the Atlético midfield. A solid, creative performance before being substituted to a deserved ovation.

Óscar Valentín - 8.5: Led by example. He was in the right place at the right time to stab home the crucial second goal just before halftime. Beyond the goal, he was imperious in midfield, with an incredible 92% pass accuracy. He screened the defence perfectly and broke up play with 2 interceptions.

Gerard Gumbau - 7.0: A tidy and effective display in the middle of the park. Kept the ball moving and created two chances for his teammates. He was always available for a pass and worked tirelessly for the team. A disciplined performance that was key to Rayo's midfield dominance.

Ilias Akhomach - 7.5: A livewire. He was a nightmare for the Atlético defence, drawing four fouls and completing three dribbles. He created a big chance and was a constant threat until he was subbed off. From our perspective, his direct running and trickery were vital to stretching the play and creating space for others.

Forwards

Fran Pérez - 7.5: Opened the scoring with a poacher's finish, showing great composure. His movement was intelligent, though he was caught offside twice. He pressed from the front and his goal set the tone for a famous victory. A great contribution before being substituted.

Jorge de Frutos - 6.0: The quietest of Rayo's attackers. He worked hard but struggled to make a significant impact on the game, losing possession five times. Missed a big chance which was a blemish on his performance. Not his best day, but he still played his part in the team's overall structure.

Substitutes

Álvaro García - 7.0: Came on and made an immediate impact, delivering the corner for Mendy's goal. His fresh legs and directness caused more problems for a tired defence.
Pedro Díaz - 6.5: Slotted in well to help see out the game.
Jozhua Vertrouwd - 6.5: Provided defensive solidity in the final stages.
Randy Nteka - N/A
Unai López - N/A

Manager

I. Pérez Soto - 9.0: What can you say? He got his tactics spot on. His team was aggressive, organised, and clinical. They completely nullified a top side in Atlético Madrid and deserved the huge win. A perfect day at the office for the manager.

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings vs Rayo Vallecano

Here are the Atletico Madrid player ratings for the Rayo Vallecano match.

Goalkeeper

Jan Oblak - 7.0: It feels strange to give a keeper who conceded three a high rating, but he was badly let down. He made six saves, four from inside the box, and without him, the scoreline could have been far worse. From our view, he was one of the few Atlético players to come away with any credit.

Defenders

Nahuel Molina - 5.5: He was busy, making 85 touches, but much of it was ineffective. He lost possession a staggering 19 times and his final ball was lacking. While he won all his duels, he offered little protection on his flank and was part of a defence that was all at sea.

José María Giménez - 5.0: A really poor performance from a player of his calibre. Looked a step off the pace and struggled against Rayo's dynamic attack. He was part of a central defence that was pulled apart for the first two goals and never looked comfortable. Not his usual commanding self.

Clément Lenglet - 4.0: A disastrous outing. His stats show an error that led to a goal, a moment that completely killed any momentum. He looked shaky on the ball and was rightfully substituted after 63 minutes. A performance he will want to forget immediately.

Matteo Ruggeri - 5.0: Hooked after just 56 minutes. He struggled to contain the threat down his side and offered very little going forward. Lost the ball cheaply and looked overwhelmed by Rayo's intensity. An evening to forget for the young defender.

Midfielders

Johnny Cardoso - 5.5: Battled in midfield but was largely ineffective. Picked up a yellow card and was bypassed too easily by Rayo's runners. His passing was tidy enough, but he failed to impose himself on the match before being substituted.

Nico González - 6.0: One of the few who tried to make things happen. He had four shots, with three on target, and was constantly trying to drive forward. However, he also lost possession 22 times, which is far too high. A mixed bag of a performance, showing effort but lacking quality.

Rodrigo Mendoza - 5.0: Another player hooked early. He earned a yellow card and never got to grips with the pace of the game. He won a few duels but was largely a passenger in a midfield that was completely overrun. A disappointing display.

Álex Baena - 5.0: Anonymous. In his 56 minutes, he failed to make any real impact. His crossing was poor, connecting with just one of eight attempts, and he lost possession 12 times. A very quiet and ineffective performance.

Thiago Almada - 6.5: He tried to be the creative spark, creating three chances and boasting a high pass completion rate. He was one of the few who looked capable of unlocking the Rayo defence. However, he also lost the ball 17 times, often trying to force the issue. A decent effort in a losing cause.

Forwards

Alexander Sørloth - 4.5: Completely starved of service and isolated. He won just two of his eight duels and touched the ball only 21 times in the entire match. It was a thankless task for the striker, who was given absolutely nothing to work with. A frustrating and invisible performance.

Substitutes

Robin Le Normand - 6.0: Came on and was steady enough, but the game was already gone.
Obed Vargas - 6.0: Added a bit more energy, but couldn't change the tide.
Julián Alvarez - 6.0: Looked to get involved but had little impact.
Marcos Llorente - 5.5: Came on and promptly got a yellow card. Offered little else.
Ademola Lookman - N/A

Manager

D. Simeone - 4.0: A rare off-day for the Argentine tactician. His team looked unprepared for Rayo's intensity and the starting XI was all wrong. His substitutions were reactive rather than proactive, and he could only watch as his side was comprehensively outplayed. A humbling defeat.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Nobel Mendy.

Worst Performer

Clément Lenglet was the worst performer.