Atletico Madrid withstood a late Rayo Vallecano fightback to remain unbeaten in La Liga with a 4-3 win at the Estadio Vicente Calderon on Sunday night.
Falcao nearly gave the hosts the lead after only six minutes but his powerful effort was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Dani Gimenez.
Atletico did go ahead on 29 minutes when Mario Suarez pounced at the back post to put the ball home.
Koke extended his side's lead soon after the restart with a tap-in from Diego Costa's cross before Arda Turan made it 3-0 just moments later thanks to a close-range finish.
Falcao eventually got on the scoresheet on 55 minutes as he smashed home from the penalty spot following Javi Fuego's foul on Costa.
Vallecano had the chance to grab a consolation on 72 minutes but Leo Baptistao's header came back off the crossbar.
However, they weren't to be denied and they got their goal with eight minutes to play through Andrija Delibasic's strike.
They weren't done there though as Delibasic got another soon after following good work from Alhassane Bangoura.
There was still time for late drama at the Estadio Vicente Calderon when Baptistao capitalised on some woeful Madrid defending to make it 4-3, but Vallecano were unable to find what would have been an incredible equaliser.
Jack Prescott
