La Liga Wrap-Up: European Spots Secured, Relegation Battle Ends in Heartbreak

The curtain has fallen on the 2024/25 La Liga season, and with it came high drama in both the European qualification race and the fight to avoid relegation. Saturday’s final round of matches saw dreams realized and hopes dashed, as clubs learned their fate — whether heading into continental competitions or bracing for life in the Segunda División.

Celta Vigo claimed the final direct berth in the UEFA Europa League, while Rayo Vallecano secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-off round. Meanwhile, Osasuna, who had been clinging to faint European hopes, were left empty-handed as the last tickets to Europe were snapped up.

At the bottom, the relegation fight was a tale of contrasting emotions. Espanyol pulled off a crucial win over Las Palmas, clawing their way to safety in dramatic fashion. Leganés did their part with a resounding victory over Real Valladolid, but results elsewhere meant it was in vain — their fate, along with Valladolid and Las Palmas, was sealed. All three drop into the second tier.

In their place, several historic sides are poised for a return to the top flight. Levante and Elche are strong candidates for promotion, while Mirandés and Real Oviedo battle for the final spot — but only one of them will join the elite. The full promotion picture will become clear once the playoff dust settles.

2024-25, Spain - La Liga

Day : 2025-05-24

"Deportivo Alaves" - "Osasuna" 1:1 (0:0)
Goals : Vicente, 56 (penalty) (1:0); Raul G., 88 (1:1)
Yellow Cards : Conechny Т. 65; Garces F. 77; Vicente 81 - Raul G. 75; Areso 78
Red cards : Pica 90' -

"Espanyol" - "Las Palmas" 2:0 (0:0)
Goals : Javi Puado, 65 (penalty) (1:0); Milla P., 82 (2:0)
Yellow Cards : Edu Expósito 15; Calero F. 42; Javi Puado 66 - Park Marvin 26; Januzaj 90

"Getafe" - "Celta" 1:2 (1:1)
Goals : Mayoral B., 11 (1:0); Iglesias, 25 (1:1); Aspas, 80 (1:2)
Yellow Cards : Berrocal 7; Rico 53; Bekhoucha 85 - Aspas 81; Moriba 85; Carreira 90; Sotelo 93
Red cards : Duarte Do. 90' -

"Club Deportivo Leganes" - "Valladolid" 3:0 (3:0)
Goals : Hernández J., 24 (1:0); Diomande Y., 36 (2:0); Juan Cruz, 40 (3:0)
Yellow Cards : - Candela 13

"Rayo Vallecano" - "Mallorca" 0:0
Yellow Cards : López U. 38; Ciss P. 75 - Mascarell 45; Samuel Costa 95