Sevilla draw, secure Champions League spot

Sevilla’s Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on May 15, 2022.

Sevilla have scored a late equaliser at Atletico Madrid to clinch the final Champions League spot in Spain’s La Liga.

A header by Youssef En-Nesyri in the 85th minute secured a 1-1 draw on Sunday and the point that gave Sevilla a place in Europe’s top club competition for a third straight season.

A loss would have left Sevilla in a tense situation going into the final round next weekend as rivals Real Betis beat Granada 2-0 to close in. The draw kept Sevilla three points ahead with a better head-to-head tiebreaker against Betis.

Betis had already secured a Europa League place by winning the Copa del Rey, and will be joined in the second-tier competition by Real Sociedad, who defeated Villarreal 2-1.

Barcelona secured second place, and a spot in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, after a 0-0 draw at Getafe, who escaped relegation.

Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao, who beat Osasuna 2-0, will fight next weekend for a spot in the third-tier Europa Conference League. Villareal visit Barcelona, while Bilbao are at Sevilla.

Elsewhere, Celta Vigo beat Elche 1-0.

Real Madrid, who had already clinched the title and are focused on the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28, drew 1-1 at Cadiz.

Alaves became the second team relegated after a 3-1 loss at Levante, who had been demoted in the previous round.

Granada, Mallorca – who beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 – and Cadiz will fight to avoid relegation in the final round.