Soccer-Lacklustre Atletico fall 2-0 away to Alaves

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Deportivo Alaves v Atletico Madrid - Estadio Mendizorroza, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain - April 21, 2024 Deportivo Alaves' Luis Rioja celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Vincent West

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-0 LaLiga defeat away to Alaves on Sunday courtesy of a first-half goal from Carlos Benavidez and Luis Rioja's superb late effort as the visitors missed the chance to cement their advantage in fourth place.

Diego Simeone's side were far from their best after being knocked out of the Champions League in midweek by Borussia Dortmund and remain on 61 points, seven behind Girona and only three clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao in the battle for European spots.