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Espanyol relegated from La Liga, Real Sociedad clinch fourth spot

Espanyol relegated from La Liga, Real Sociedad clinch fourth spot
© Reuters
Espanyol are relegated from La Liga courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Valencia, while Real Sociedad secure fourth position in the table despite losing at Atletico Madrid.

Espanyol conceded a last-gasp equaliser against Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday evening, with the result seeing the Catalan outfit relegated from La Liga in spectacular fashion.

The White and Blues were on course to secure a huge three points in their battle against the drop, with goals from Cesar Montes and Martin Braithwaite either side of the half-time interval sending them 2-1 ahead.

However, Samuel Lino's leveller in the 93rd minute relegated Espanyol, with Luis Garcia's side on 36 points from 37 matches, four behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo with only one game left.

Espanyol have joined Elche in being relegated to the Segunda Division, but the third spot is still open heading into the final matchday, with Real Valladolid in 18th, one point behind 17th-placed Celta.

Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera reacts after being shown a red card by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz that is later rescinded after a VAR review on December 31, 2022© Reuters

Cadiz, Getafe, Valencia and Almeria are also in danger of finishing in 18th ahead of what is set to be a fascinating final set of fixtures in Spain's top flight.

Espanyol's relegation from La Liga in 2019-20 came as a huge surprise, but they won the Segunda Division the following campaign and will be bidding to return at the first time of asking next term.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, secured fourth position in the table on Sunday despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Villarreal would have stayed in the race had they managed to beat Rayo Vallecano, but the Yellow Submarine suffered a 2-1 defeat, so Real Sociedad have claimed a top-four spot for the first time in 10 years.

Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 2, 2023© Reuters

Champions Barcelona returned to winning ways following back-to-back losses, recording a 3-0 win over Mallorca, while Villarreal and Real Betis have been confirmed in fifth and sixth respectively, securing qualification for next season's Europa League group stage.

Seventh position, and a spot in the playoff round of the Europa Conference League, is still open, though, with Copa del Rey finalists Osasuna currently in charge of the final European place.

Athletic Bilbao are level on points with Osasuna, though, while Girona, Rayo and Sevilla are all just one point behind seventh position ahead of the final set of fixtures.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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