Athletic triumph secures top-four finish

Athletic Club sewed up fourth-placed in the Spanish Liga with two games to spare thanks to a resounding 3-0 success at Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.

First-half goals from Mikel San José and Óscar de Marcos established command for the visitors and a qualifying berth in next season's UEFA Champions League was confirmed when Ander Herrera added a third with 16 minutes remaining.

Six points clear of Sevilla FC at the start of play, Ernesto Valverde's men knew that victory would rubber-stamp fourth spot due to their superior head-to-head record against the UEFA Europa League finalists.

San José converted a Markel Susaeta corner on 20 minutes and when De Marcos (30) stabbed in following another set-piece, Athletic never looked back. Herrera's free-kick added further gloss against a Rayo side that could have moved up to eighth with a victory.

Athletic previously played in the UEFA Champions League in the 1998/99 season and fourth-place represents their highest league finish since ending 1997/98 as runners-up.