Atletico Madrid have eased past Rayo Vallecano in La Liga this evening thanks to two first-half goals from Antoine Griezmann.

The Frenchman opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when he neatly slid the ball past the goalkeeper from the centre of the box.

He went close to doubling Atletico's lead minutes later as he flashed an effort inches past the post.

However, he did get a second when latched onto the end of a Mario Mandzukic header inside the box and beat the keeper with a calm finish to make it 2-0.

The visitors pulled a goal back when captain Roberto Trashorras expertly placed the ball into the bottom corner, with a curled effort from just outside the box.

In the second half, Mandzukic came within inches of restoring Madrid's two-goal lead with a header that dropped past the post, before Atletico assured victory when a corner kick took a ricochet off Rayo striker Manucho and went into the net.

Rayo did create chances in the final stages, but neither Manucho, Alberto Bueno or Trashorras could take advantage.

Griezmann went close to completing his hat-trick when he hit the post in the last few minutes, after Tiago sent him through on goal.

The win keeps Atletico three points behind second-placed Barcelona in the La Liga table.