The EA Sports League comes to an end

All the matches with something at stake for survival or the fight for European competition were played on Saturday night. Only the clash between Villarreal and Atlético Madrid, who were battling it out for third place, was left for Sunday to round off the season. Marcelino García Toral’s side overpowered Simeone’s men to finish third.

The other two cities celebrating and set to travel across Europe next season were Vigo and Getafe. Celta, needing just one point to qualify for the Europa League for a second consecutive season, did the job against Sevilla with a solitary goal from Ilaix Moriba. Claudio Giráldez’s side were in control of their own destiny and did not let their devoted fans down at Balaídos.

Getafe also made the most of their opportunity, needing to beat an Osasuna side fighting against relegation. In a very tight match, Luis Milla scored the goal that secured European qualification for José Bordalás’s side. The Alicante-born manager has completed another season in charge of Getafe. It remains to be seen whether he will stay on or embark on new projects.

Results from Matchday 38 of the EA Sports La Liga

• Valencia 3-1 Barcelona
• Real Madrid 4-2 Athletic
• Betis 2-1 Levante
• Mallorca 3-0 Oviedo
• Girona 1-1 Elche
• Getafe 1-0 Osasuna
• Espanyol 1-1 Real Sociedad
• Celta de Vigo 1-0 Sevilla
• Alavés 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
• Villarreal 5-1 Atlético de Madrid

Girona and Mallorca relegated to the Second Division

The bitter taste of the night was felt at Montilivi and Son Moix. Girona could only manage a draw in their final match against Elche, meaning Michel’s side were relegated to the Liga Hypermotion. This result saved Eder Sarabia’s side, for whom a win or a draw would have been enough to secure their place in the top flight of Spanish football following last season’s promotion.

Mallorca did their bit by beating bottom-of-the-table Oviedo. Demichelis’s side comfortably beat the Oviedo side, but the other results needed to avoid relegation did not materialise. They fell one goal short of Girona and Levante to achieve the miracle they needed on the final matchday. Last week’s defeat away to Levante had already sealed their relegation.

Osasuna and Levante, however, did manage to avoid the drop despite losing away to Getafe and Betis respectively. Both teams needed just a point to secure their survival, but failed to achieve their objective on the pitch. Nevertheless, the other results went their way and they will be competing in the EA Sports La Liga again next season.

Final EA Sports La Liga table

1. Barcelona 94 points
2. Real Madrid 86 points
3. Villarreal 72 points
4. Atlético de Madrid 69 points
5. Betis 60 points
6. Celta de Vigo 54 points
7. Getafe 51 points
8. Rayo Vallecano 50 points
9. Valencia 49 points
10. Real Sociedad 46 points
11. Espanyol 46 points
12. Athletic 45 points
13. Sevilla 43 points
14. Alavés 43 points
15. Elche 43 points
16. Levante 42 points
17. Osasuna 42 points
18. Mallorca 42 points
19. Girona 41 points
20. Oviedo 29 points