Leganés suffers demotion to the Second Division
Catalan outfit Espanyol secured a vital 2-0 home victory against Las Palmas, securing their safety from relegation and cementing a 14th-place finish in the La Liga 2024/25 season. The triumph came in a sentimental match for both teams, with Espanyol playing at home for the last time this season, while Las Palmas bid farewell to Dario Essugo, who is joining Chelsea on loan.
Goals from Puado and Milla in the 65th and 82nd minutes, respectively, saw Espanyol clinch a much-needed three points, leaving Las Palmas with a disappointing 32 points and a six-game losing streak. The visitors were without Fabio Silva due to injury, with Essugo making a emotional start in his final match for the club.
The result means Espanyol have 42 points, two more than unlucky Leganes, who ended their La Liga campaign with a 3-0 win over Valladolid. Despite the victory, Leganes were unable to avoid relegation, finishing just one point below the safety threshold. The Madrid-area club, who were promoted to La Liga for the first time in 2015/16 and returned to the second division in 2019/20, will play in the second division next season (2023/24), marking the greatest title in the history of the 'pepineros'.
In other La Liga news, Real Madrid clinched the vice-champion spot with a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad, with a brace from Kylian Mbappé removing Swedish Sporting player Viktor Gyökeres from the top spot for the Golden Boot. Meanwhile, the battle for European qualification spots between Celta de Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, and Osasuna is set to continue in the final game of the season.
Finally, FC Barcelona, who have already secured the La Liga title, will play their final home game of the season against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Atlético Madrid travel to Girona, while fifth-placed Villarreal host Sevilla, both hoping to secure Champions League qualification.
Enrichment data note: Barça have secured the title with 88 points, followed by Real Madrid with 84. Atlético Madrid finished third with 76 points, and Athletic Bilbao in fourth with 70 points. Leganes and Valladolid have been relegated, although the exact teams relegated for 2024/25 are not specified in available sources. The Champions League spots have been confirmed for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, while the Europa League spot will go to Athletic Bilbao or the Copa del Rey winner, depending on qualification through league position. The Conference League spot is usually given to Villarreal or Real Betis, but this is contingent on the outcome of the Copa del Rey and other UEFA coefficient factors.
- Despite securing a 14th-place finish in La Liga 2024/25, Espanyol's European football aspirations might remain unfulfilled, given that the Europa League spot could go to Athletic Bilbao or the Copa del Rey winner, while the Conference League spot is typically awarded to Villarreal or Real Betis.
- As the La Liga 2024/25 season nears its conclusion, Laliga teams like Celta de Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, and Osasuna are embroiled in a fierce battle for the remaining European qualification spots, replicating the thrilling atmosphere often seen in European leagues, especially in football matches.
