Levante hold Atleti, Villarreal edge Elche
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| AFP |
Atletico Madrid had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Levante but the point they gained took them to within striking distance of securing third place in the Spanish La Liga.
Last season's champions fell behind to a close-range effort from David Barral on 32 minutes but just moments later Guilherme Siqueira levelled. Kalu Uche put the hosts in charge again in the second half but his goal was cancelled out at the other end by Fernando Torres.
Despite 41 points separating the two teams in the table, Atletico had to labour for their draw and missed an opportunity to move six points clear of Valencia in fourth, but need just one win from their last two games to clinch third place and an automatic berth in next season's UEFA Champions League. Levante, meanwhile, look set for another year in the top flight as they moved five points above the relegation zone.
Sevilla's hopes of Champions League qualification appear to rely on winning the Europa League after they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Celta Vigo. Kevin Gameiro had given them an early lead with an eighth-minute strike, but Celta, who dominated possession, kept plugging away and got their reward with a controversial penalty claim when Charles tumbled - not for the first time - and Santi Mina tucked the spot-kick away just before the hour mark.
The draw leaves Sevilla three points off fourth-placed Valencia, who have the advantage in head-to-head record, with two games left to play. In order to reach Europe's premier club competition, Sevilla may need to defend the Europa League title they won last season, having beaten Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.
Villarreal secured sixth position after scraping past Elche 1-0 at El Madrigal. Joel Campbell's goal after 26 minutes secured a Europa League spot for Marcelinho's side, and leaves them eight points clear of their nearest challengers with just two games to go.
Malaga boosted their chances of playing European football next season with a 2-1 win at Almeria, which plunged their fellow Andalusians into deep trouble. Jose Manuel Casado put the ball through his own net to give the visitors the lead after 22 minutes but Thomas Partey levelled for Almeria on the half hour mark, only for Javi Guerra to restore Malaga's lead midway through the second half.
Almeria remained 16th in the La Liga table after the defeat but are just one point above Deportivo La Coruna, Eibar and Granada, while Malaga reclaimed seventh spot from Athletic Bilbao.