BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Girona and Mallorca were relegated after playing their final games of the La Liga season on Saturday, while Robert Lewandowski said goodbye to Barcelona and Dani Carvajal also said goodbye to Real Madrid.
Both Girona and Mallorca needed a win and other results in their favor to make a last-ditch escape from the bottom three. They have no such luck and both will join bottom-of-the-second division Real Oviedo next season.
A win would have saved Girona, but the team, who finished third in La Liga just two seasons ago, could do no better than a 1-1 draw at home to Elche. This result means that Elche is now safe.
Mallorca defeated Oviedo 3-0, but fell behind Osasuna and Levante on goal difference.
Mallorca midfielder Sergi Dalder said: “Our hearts are torn apart. It’s our fault that we lost.”
Celta Vigo defeated Sevilla 1-0, finishing in 6th place and qualifying for the Europa League.
Getafe defeated Osasuna 1-0 to secure seventh place and advance to the conference league.
Champions Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid and Real Betis had already secured a top five spot and thus a spot in the Champions League ahead of the final matchday.
The season ends on Sunday with Atlético and Villarreal to decide who will finish third.
Lewandowski scores in his last game
lewandowski He scored in his last game for Barcelona, scoring the champions’ only goal in a 3-1 defeat against Valencia.
The 37-year-old striker decided to part ways with Barcelona this summer after spending four seasons there. His goal at the Mestalla Stadium was in blue and burgundy, number 120.
Barcelona won the league title 3 rounds left.
Carvajal and Arbeloa say “Adios”
Carvajal received a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu and was brought to tears when the veteran right-back was substituted in his final game for Real Madrid.
Carvajal, whose contract is about to expire, provided the assist for Gonzalo Garcia’s opening goal. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe added goals for a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Carvajal, 34, was Madrid’s top choice at right-back since 2013 and helped Madrid win the Champions League six times before Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived this season.
After the match, Carvajal was handed a microphone and tearfully said in the stadium, “Today I can’t help but remember the golden era we shared.”
Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa also resigned four months after replacing Xabi Alonso. Things couldn’t turn around for Madrid, who finished second this season without winning any trophies. Spanish media speculates that Jose Mourinho’s return is nearing To Madrid.
Defender David Alaba also played in his last match for Madrid.
Azpilicueta retires
Former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta played his final professional game before retiring when Sevilla visited Celta.
Azpilicueta, 36, helped Chelsea win multiple trophies during his time as team captain, including two Premier League titles and the 2021 Champions League title.
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