Celta's late surge narrows Betis gap to four points as Spain opens fifth Champions League slot
Synopsis
With Spain now guaranteed five Champions League places next season, the La Liga title race has expanded dramatically. Celta's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid closes the gap on fifth-placed Betis to just four points, while Real Sociedad's stunning 2-2 comeback against Betis — from two goals down — signals that the fight for European qualification is wide open. Levante's epic 3-2 fightback against Osasuna keeps the survival battle equally unpredictable.
Key Takeaways
Celta Vigo defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 with Borja Iglesias scoring in the 62nd minute .
Real Sociedad came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Real Betis , with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a 91st-minute penalty .
Celta now trails Betis by four points in the race for fifth place and a Champions League spot.
Spain confirmed five Champions League places for next season, reshaping the qualification battle.
Sevilla beat Espanyol 2-1 to move away from the relegation zone; Levante defeated Osasuna 3-2 with a last-minute goal.
Celta Vigo kept alive its hopes of securing a UEFA Champions League spot next season with a 1-0 away victory against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, May 10. Borja Iglesias scored the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, capitalising on Atletico's wastefulness in front of goal to hand the Galician club a crucial three points.
Sociedad's dramatic comeback stuns Betis
In a stunning turnaround, Real Sociedad fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Real Betis. Betis had taken command early through Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli, but Orri Oskarsson pulled one back with 11 minutes remaining. Mikel Oyarzabal then converted a 91st-minute penalty to level the match and deny Betis a vital win.
The Champions League race tightens
The draw comes two days after Spain confirmed it will have five Champions League places next season — a development that has reshaped the relegation and qualification picture across La Liga. Celta now sits just four points behind fifth-placed Betis, with the final weeks of the season shaping as a tense battle for European qualification. The expanded European slot has effectively created a new zone of contention between the traditional top-four battle and the traditional relegation zone.
Sevilla climbs away from danger
Sevilla took a significant step toward safety with a 2-1 home victory over Espanyol. After Tyrhys Dolan gave Espanyol a 56th-minute lead, young Sevilla defender Andres Castrin equalised in the 82nd minute when he advanced unchallenged into the opposing box. Akor Adams then secured the win with a well-placed effort from outside the area in the 91st minute.
Bottom-three struggles continue
Alaves remains mired in the bottom three despite a 1-1 draw away to Elche. Alvaro Rodriguez's header for the home side cancelled out Toni Martinez's penalty for Alaves. The Basque club came agonisingly close to a vital win when substitute Aitor Manas saw his effort strike the post in the 98th minute.
Levante's late heroics keep survival hopes alive
Levante mounted a remarkable comeback to edge Osasuna 3-2 on Friday. After falling 2-0 down early — courtesy of an own goal and Ante Budimir's strike — Levante stormed back with Victor Garcia scoring twice in three minutes to level by halftime. The home side dominated the second half and was rewarded with Karl Etta Eyong's last-minute winner, keeping their survival hopes alive with matches still to play.
Point of View
Fight for survival — has fractured into a three-way scramble: top-four glory, fifth-place European qualification, and escape from the bottom three. Celta's four-point deficit to Betis is suddenly surmountable. Real Sociedad's comeback from two goals down proves no lead is safe. For Levante and Alaves, the mathematics remain cruel, but the expanded European slot has handed them a lifeline that wasn't there a week ago. The final weeks will be chaotic and unpredictable.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Celta Vigo achieve with their win over Atletico Madrid?
Celta Vigo defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on May 10, with Borja Iglesias scoring in the 62nd minute. The victory keeps Celta alive in the race for a Champions League spot and cuts fifth-placed Betis's lead to four points.
Why is Spain's fifth Champions League place significant for La Liga?
Spain was confirmed to have five Champions League places available next season, up from the traditional four. This expansion has fundamentally altered the final-day dynamics, creating a new zone of contention between traditional top-four qualification and the relegation battle, making the race for fifth place as competitive as the fight for survival.
How did Real Sociedad's comeback unfold against Betis?
Real Sociedad trailed 2-0 after Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli scored for Betis. Orri Oskarsson pulled one back with 11 minutes left, and Mikel Oyarzabal converted a 91st-minute penalty to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Which teams remain in the bottom three after this round of matches?
Alaves remains in the bottom three despite drawing 1-1 with Elche. Levante, however, kept survival hopes alive with a 3-2 comeback win over Osasuna, narrowing the gap to safety.
