Madrid, Spain – Atletico Madrid claimed a 3-0 win over Getafe at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday to close in on fourth place in La Liga.
The win brings Diego Simeone's men to 42 points on the season and seventh place in La Liga, just five points shy of a Champions League qualification spot in fourth place.
Atletico cruised to a comfortable home victory thanks to goals from Eduardo Salvio, Diego and Falcao.
Salvio got the Rojiblancos off the mark in the 24th minute with a looping header over Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya.
Diego then doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute, scoring on his first start for the club in seven weeks. The Brazilian's header rattled the crossbar but bounced right back into his path as he stuffed home the second attempt.
Falcao rounded out the scoring 13 minutes from time with a calm finish off of a Juanfran cross.
Getafe entered Sunday's contest with 10 points from its last four matches and lost in league play for the first time in just under a month. The club occupies 10th place on 39 points.
Valencia 1, Levante 1
Valencia, Spain - Valencia let a first-half lead slip away on Sunday as it was held to a 1-1 draw by Levante at the Mestalla.
Jonas had given the home side the lead in the 35th minute, but Levante was able to level in the second half thanks to Arouna Kone's 10th goal of the season.
The draw does help Valencia, on 48 points, take sole possession of third place after Malaga's loss on Saturday. Levante, meanwhile, clings to fifth place on 45 points.
Real Sociedad 4, Rayo Vallecano 0
San Sebastian, Spain - Four different scorers helped Real Sociedad cruise to a comfortable 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Anoeta on Sunday.
Imanol Agirretxe and David Zurutuza gave the home side a two-goal advantage by halftime, while Antoine Griezmann and Carlos Vela extended the lead in the second half to complete the rout.
The result snaps a three-game losing skid for Sociedad, which moves eight points clear of the relegation zone. Rayo Vallecano, on 37 points, has now dropped three La Liga matches on the bounce.
Villarreal 0, Espanyol 0
Villarreal, Spain - Espanyol fell to eighth place in La Liga on Sunday after playing to a 0-0 draw with lowly Villarreal at El Madrigal.
A win for the Parakeets would have lifted them past Atletico Madrid and level with Osasuna, but they drop outside the picture for a European spot with 41 points on the season.
Villarreal, unbeaten in its last three league contests, sits four points clear of danger on 32 points.
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