Real Madrid paid for defensive errors after drawing 3-3 with local rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and missing the chance to overtake La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Real are second with 37 points from 17 games, one behind Barca, who host Leganes on Sunday, while Atletico, third with 35 from 16 games, face Getafe. Rayo is 13th with 20 points.
France captain Kylian Mbappe was already missing with a leg muscle injury, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest talisman Vinicius Jr from the start and Rayo Vallecano took a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to errors.
Rayo stunned the champions with a goal after four minutes spent on the counter-attack, when Jorge de Frutos passed Fran Garcia and then crossed to the unmarked Unai Lopez, whose shot from the far post beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Vallecano extended their lead when Abdul Mumin was left alone behind Lucas Vazquez and nodded in from a corner kick in the 36th minute.
However, Federico Valverde’s thunderous long-range shot put Real back into the game three minutes later, with Rodrygo finding the equalizer for Jude Bellingham, who scored the equalizer for the first time from deep inside the box.
Rodrygo almost scored with an angled shot that forced a reflex save from Augusto Batalla just after the break.
However, the Brazilian did not let himself be denied and in the 56th minute, after a deflected shot from outside the penalty area, he gave Real the lead.
Ancelotti brought on Vinicius Jr. to provide the spark that Real was lacking and Batalla made a great save to deny him a goal and a minute later Arda Guler’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Real took control and appealed for a penalty for a foul on Vinicius Jr, which was waved away before Rayo stunned the defending champions again when Isi Palazon moved between defenders Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni and deflected the cross into the net.
Ancelotti’s men tried to fight for victory, but Batalla denied Vinicius and substitute Endrick, and Rudiger missed a good chance late in the match, with Real having to settle for a draw that could prove costly in the title race.
