Valencia sew up third spot in Spain
Sunday, May 15, 2011
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Valencia CF have guaranteed themselves a place in next season's UEFA Champions League group stage after a 0-0 draw with Levante UD put them beyond the reach of Villarreal CF.
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Valencia CF will compete in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season after locking down third place in the Liga, on a day when Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the individual scoring record in the Spanish top flight during Real Madrid CF's win at Villarreal CF.
Ronaldo buried a pair of free-kicks in the 3-1 victory to take his tally to 38 strikes so far this term, equalling the benchmark set by Athletic Club's Telmo Zarra (1950/51) and Madrid's Hugo Sánchez (1989/90). The result also ensured that Villarreal will have to navigate a play-off to enter the UEFA Champions League proper as they now lie six points shy of Valencia with one match remaining. For their part, the Blanquinegros drew 0-0 with Levante UD.
At the other end of the table, Getafe CF and Real Zaragoza both won to leave the last relegation spot still undecided. Getafe defeated CA Osasuna 2-0 to climb to 16th and Zaragoza overcame RCD Espanyol 1-0. Javier Aguirre's side nonetheless remain third from bottom, one point shy of RC Deportivo La Coruña, who played out a goalless stalemate at champions FC Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Sevilla FC rose to fifth by beating Real Sociedad de Fútbol 3-1, with Athletic slipping to sixth following their 1-1 draw with Málaga CF. Level on 55 points with both Sevilla and Athletic, seventh-placed Club Atlético de Madrid saw off already relegated Hércules CF 2-1.
