The season's final round in Spain's premier division included drama at the back, the determination of podium positions, and the securing of European qualifying. Here is our expert presenting the key points.On Sunday night at the José Zorilla, Getafe players celebrated while Valladolid players fell to their knees at the sound of the final whistle. The scoreless draw ensured relegation for the host team but survival for the visitors. They lost a stunning six-way relegation battle in a tense evening on the final day of LaLiga.
Six teams entered the last round of games with the identical objective: to place 17th or above, with Elche and Espanyol already eliminated. Valladolid began the day in 18th place with 39 points, but they had to work to stay alive.
Each of the six clubs depended on themselves going into their final game. Almera, Celta Vigo, and Valladolid all started the day with 40 points, followed by Cádiz, Getafe, and Valencia with 41 points. While Almera played at Espanyol and Valencia faced Real Betis in Seville, Cádiz traveled to Elche. In the meantime, Valladolid hosted Getafe in the lone direct matchup between teams still fighting for survival, while Celta welcomed league champions Barcelona at home.
Many predicted that Celta would lose. The Galicians had dropped seven of their previous nine LaLiga contests and appeared weak, but they had a solid recent home record against Barcelona and this was an ideal time to play the champions.
Xavi's team had little to play for aside from Marc-André ter Stegen trying to break his previous clean sheet record. Early on, Franck Kessié appeared to have given Barça the lead, but he was slightly offside. Balados exhaled with a sense of relief. Then, despite a late header from Ansu Fati, youthful Gabri Veiga emerged as the game's hero by scoring twice just after halftime to give Celta a 2-1 victory. Who cares that the midfielder's second goal was a poorly executed cross? Nobody at Balados, for sure.
Celta was ultimately the only one of the six teams to triumph.
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The scoreless draw ensured relegation for the host team but survival for the visitors. They lost a stunning six-way relegation battle in a tense evening on the final day of LaLiga.
In the meantime, Valladolid hosted Getafe in the lone direct matchup between teams still fighting for survival, while Celta welcomed league champions Barcelona at home.
Who cares that the midfielder's second goal was a poorly executed cross? Nobody at Balados, for sure.
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