Last-gasp Sevilla steal Champions League spot

Teenager Rios Rodri scored a stoppage time winner as 10-man Sevilla sealed fourth place and Champions League qualification with a last-gasp 3-2 win at Almeria on Saturday to leave Real Mallorca in tears.

Mallorca were seconds away from sealing fourth thanks to a 2-0 home win over Espanyol but 19-year-old Rodri, a product of the Sevilla youth system, scored with virtually the last kick of the game in a goal worth millions to his side.

Sevilla had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Alvaro Negredo on 64 minutes for abusing the linesman and were clinging on to their 2-1 lead.

Almeria, who had nothing to play for, then equalised at 2-2 through Juanma Ortiz’s brilliant 78th minute strike and had chances to go ahead in a frantic closing 10 minutes.

Substitute Rodri then popped up with the biggest goal of his career and spark huge celebrations.

Sevilla now go into Wednesday’s Kings Cup final against Atletico Madrid in high spirits although Negredo will be suspended.

Fourth place also enhances Sevilla caretaker coach Antonio Alvarez’s chances of getting the job on a permanent basis having taken over from Manolo Jimenez in March.

For Mallorca it was a bitter late pill to swallow although their fifth place is their highest finish since 2001 and they have the Europa League next season after a fantastic campaign.

Getafe recorded their highest ever finish in La Liga sealing sixth place and European qualification with a 3-0 win at Europa League champions Atletico Madrid.

Foward Roberto Soldado scored a brace in each half to help Getafe overcome their local rivals and qualify for next season’s Europa League.

Villarreal needed Getafe to drop points to stand any chance of pipping their rivals but could only draw 3-3 at Real Zaragoza to finish two points behind.

Getafe escaped relegation on the final day of last season so this result is a testament to the fine work of highly-rated coach Michel.

It will be their second venture in Europe following a UEFA Cup bow in 2008 when they reached the quarter-finals.

Atletico, who fielded a second string side against Getafe, are down in ninth but the Europa League winners are still in with a chance of a cup double when they take on Sevilla in the Kings Cup final.

For Villarreal, league runners-up in 2008, it was a disappointing season as they failed to come to terms with the summer departure of coach Manuel Pellegrini to Real Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao rounded off their season with a 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna to finish eighth, their best finish in La Liga since 2004 when they were fifth.

The destination of the Spanish league title will be decided on Sunday with champions Barcelona facing Valladolid at Camp Nou.

Barcelona have notched a record 96 points but Real Madrid, who travel to Malaga, are just one point behind.

Real need to win and hope Barcelona slip-up to steal the title from their grasp after spending virtually the entire season chasing their rivals.

Pellegrini has faced speculation over his future all season and the Chilean admitted the talk of Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho taking over was unsettling.

“I don’t think Real speak behind the back of their coach, this isn’t their style,” said Pellegrini. “But I am not so naive to believe that all the rumours are simply speculation.”

At the bottom of the table five teams are battling for survival on the final day with Xerez, Valladolid, Malaga, Tenerife and Racing Santander all in danger.