First division, day 38

It couldn't have been a more exciting finish to the first chapter of the extended last weekend of the season. One relegation spot was still to be filled, with Alavés needing to beat Deportivo and hope Espanyol didn't do likewise against Real Sociedad to avoid the drop. Both games went in to the final quarter of an hour without goals, but then Bodipo put Alavés ahead in Vitoria. For almost a quarter of an hour Espanyol were in the second division, but with their game already in injury time Corominas ran on to a long ball out of midfield to beat Alberto and give his side the victory.

Deportivo's defeat opened the door for Villarreal to get ahead of them and take the one Intertoto cup place. A Riquelme penalty and a header from Xisco Nadal were enough to give Pellegrini's side a 2-0 win over Racing Santander and take them up to seventh in table. Meanwhile UEFA cup champions Sevilla were keeping Tuesday night's second chapter alive with a 3-2 win over an unrecognisable Barcelona side in their rescheduled match from week 34, Kepa heading the winner after the visitors had come back from two down to level the scores. They now have to beat Real Madrid and need Valencia to get a result at Osasuna to take the last Champions League place.

Four matches with virtually nothing at stake kicked off earlier in the evening. Getafe did have an outside chance of a place in the Intertoto cup, but they fell 1-0 at Celta, who had already ensured their ticket for next season's UEFA cup. The other two relegated sides met, with Cádiz running out 5-0 winners over neighbours Málaga. Jonathan Sesma scored twice in front of a stadium which was still packed with enthusiastic home fans despite their side going down. Their was a festival atmosphere at Mallorca as well, where the locals celebrated their survival with a 3-1 win over Zaragoza. A disappointing end to a disappointing season though for both Atlético Madrid and Betis, who cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. (13.05.06)