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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Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera reacts after being shown a red card by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz that is later rescinded after a VAR review on December 31, 2022© Reuters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
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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