Valencia claim Champions League spot, Iraola scores and two sides secure final-day survival

The final day of the Liga BBVA season – matchday 38 – saw several loose ends tied up. For example, Valencia CF achieved qualification for the UEFA Champions League after a nail-biting win over UD Almería. Meanwhile, Sevilla FC finished fifth and RC Deportivo and Granada CF confirmed their presence in the Spanish top flight for a further year. On an individual level, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Getafe CF and ends the campaign as top scorer in the league with 48 goals, and Andoni Iraola said farewell to Athletic by hitting the back of the net. 

Valencia claim European ticket

In what was one of the games of the matchday, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men took on Almería with their chief objective of the season at stake. To further complicate matters, their opponents were fighting for Liga BBVA survival and Sevilla were lurking and ready to snatch fourth place from los che if they failed to win. In the end, a goal from Paco Alcácer 10 minutes from time ensured a 2-3 final score and saw los valencianistas qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Both Valencia and Sevilla won 2-3, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League respectively.

Fourth-place rivals Sevilla did their job against Málaga CF by beating los blanquiazules 2-3, but Valencia’s victory meant that Unai Emery’s charges were forced to settle for fifth, which brings direct entry to the UEFA Europa League.

Iraola marks his farewell with a goal

Another of the day’s stand-out figures was Andoni Iraola. Having announced his departure from Athletic, the club legend was playing his final game for the Basques – and had a hand in his side’s 4-0 win over Villarreal CF by scoring a goal. Special mention should also go to the display of Aritz Aduriz, who was one of the matchday’s top performers thanks to his double against the Castellón outfit.

Mission accomplished for Granada

With the Andalusians battling for survival beside Deportivo, SD Eibar and Almería, their presence in next season’s Liga BBVA was on the line against Atlético Madrid. And to make life more difficult for the side coached by José Ramón Sandoval, los rojiblancos needed at least a point to secure third place. However, a 0-0 result benefitted both teams and meant that there was delight all round at Nuevo Los Cármenes.

Heroic point at the Camp Nou

There can be no doubt that Deportivo’s 2-2 draw with FC Barcelona was one of the matches of the week. The Galicians travelled to the home ground of none other than the league champions out to secure survival and, after falling 2-0 behind to a brace from Leo Messi, the evening did not bode well for them. However, goals from Lucas Pérez on 67’ and Diogo Salomão after 76’ saw them come back to claim the point they needed to achieve their target.

Diogo Salomão’s goal against FC Barcelona handed Deportivo Liga BBVA survival

No let-up from Cristiano Ronaldo

The Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Getafe was the fixture chosen to round off the Liga BBVA 2014/15 season. Neither club had anything to play for, so one of the affair’s chief attractions was finding out how many goals Cristiano Ronaldo would end the campaign with. The Portuguese star did not take long to hit the net, scoring the opener on 13 minutes. He then went on to complete a hat-trick with two further strikes as los blancos ran out 7-3 winners. The Real Madrid forward finishes the league season with 48 goals and is crowned top scorer in the division.