Atletico Madrid got their LaLiga campaign up and running as Antoine Griezmann’s instinctive second-half finish saw off Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone’s side looked sharp as they drew 1-1 with Valencia in their opening fixture but were sluggish throughout the first half against their local rivals – Thomas Lemar’s low effort the only chance of note before VAR dismissed Diego Costa’s claim for a penalty.
And though Costa could have done better from a Lemar cross early in the second period, it was Rayo who were looking the most likely to break the deadlock.
But Griezmann, who still appears to be far from his best after winning the World Cup with France, was on the spot to tuck home from close range in the 63rd minute, though Jan Oblak had to be at his best late on for Atleti to secure the spoils.
