Which Two European Spots Will be Decided in La Liga?
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Synopsis
As La Liga approaches its climactic finale, the penultimate round has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Discover which teams are vying for the last European spots while others face relegation. Don't miss the dramatic twists and turns as Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, and more battle for glory and survival!
Key Takeaways
- Athletic Bilbao secured fourth place with a vital win.
- Villarreal disrupted Barcelona's celebrations with a comeback victory.
- Atletico Madrid clinched third place with a strong performance.
- Espanyol and Leganes face relegation battles.
- Celta Vigo remains in contention for the final Europa League spot.
Madrid, May 19 (NationPress) The penultimate round of matches in La Liga determined the outcome for the fourth place finish, as well as the allocation of the final two European spots, while also revealing which teams will join Las Palmas and Valladolid in relegation to the second division, all to be finalized on the last day of the season.
Athletic Bilbao secured fourth place and a spot in next season's Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia with a 1-0 away victory against Valencia.
Alex Berenguer's magnificent curling shot 19 minutes from the end clinched a well-deserved win for Athletic, while simultaneously ending Valencia's slim hopes of qualifying for Europe, according to reports from Xinhua.
Athletic confirmed their fourth-place finish based on head-to-head goal difference over Villarreal, despite Villarreal disrupting FC Barcelona's La Liga celebrations with a 3-2 triumph in Montjuic.
Ayoze Perez gave Villarreal the lead in the fourth minute, but Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez turned the tide before halftime. Santi Comesana equalized shortly after the break, only for Tajon Buchanan to net the decisive goal for the visitors ten minutes from the end.
Atletico Madrid clinched third place with a dominant 4-1 win at home against a Real Betis side focused on the UEFA Conference League final, featuring two goals from Julian Alvarez, one from Robin le Normand, and a late strike from Angel Correa, likely in his final home game for the club.
Sevilla and Real Madrid had only pride at stake, with a significantly altered Real Madrid squad visiting southern Spain, keeping an eye on the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled for June.
Madrid's task was eased after 12 minutes when Sevilla defender Loric Bade was sent off for a foul on Kylian Mbappe, who was the last defender.
Isaac Romero was sent off for a serious foul on Aurelien Tchouameni, leaving Sevilla down to nine men by the 48th minute. It wasn't until the 75th minute that Mbappe broke the deadlock, with Jude Bellingham adding a second just three minutes from the end.
Celta Vigo remains in the lead for the final Europa League spot despite a 2-1 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano, with Izi Palazon and Jorge de Frutos overturning Marcos Alonso's early penalty for the home side.
Rayo is just one point behind Celta as they head into the last matchday, alongside Osasuna, who secured a 2-0 home victory over Espanyol thanks to Ante Budimir's 21st goal of the season and a late effort from Raul Garcia.
Espanyol's defeat means they will battle with Leganes in the final game of the season to avoid relegation, following Leganes' 1-0 away win over Las Palmas on a header from Dani Raba.
A victory at home against Las Palmas will ensure Espanyol's survival, while Leganes needs to win at home against bottom-placed Valladolid and hope Espanyol does not win.
Alaves and Getafe have secured their positions in the league after Kike Garcia's 13th goal of the season led Alaves to a 1-0 win in Valladolid, while second-half goals from Mauro Arambarri and Christiantus Uche ended Getafe's six-match losing streak with a 2-1 victory in Mallorca.
In the final note, Imanol Alguacil's last home game as Real Sociedad coach after six years concluded with a thrilling 3-2 win over Girona.
Point of View
I emphasize the significance of these matches in shaping the future of Spanish football. The struggle for European qualification and relegation spots not only reflects the competitive nature of La Liga but also the passionate connection fans have with their teams. It's a pivotal moment for clubs and players alike.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams secured European spots in La Liga?
Athletic Bilbao secured fourth place, while the final two European spots are still being contested by several teams.
Which teams are facing relegation?
Las Palmas and Valladolid have already been relegated, while Espanyol and Leganes will battle it out in the final game to avoid the drop.
What is the significance of the last matchday?
The last matchday will determine not only the final European qualifiers but also which teams will be relegated to the second division.
Who are the key players to watch?
Key players include Alex Berenguer from Athletic Bilbao, Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid, and Ante Budimir from Osasuna.
How does the head-to-head goal difference impact standings?
Head-to-head goal difference can determine standings when teams have equal points, impacting European qualifications.
