La Liga, Week 34: Real Sociedad falls to Getafe, race for European spots tighten up again

It was all downhill from there for Real.

Getafe went ahead for good six minutes from halftime when Bravo left a huge rebound after saving Lafita’s initial effort form the edge of the area. Abdelaziz Barrada caught Real’s defense flat footed and he jumped on the loose ball, sending it past Bravo who was stil on the ground.

Things changed again at the bottom of the table as Real Zaragoza leapt back Depor with their win over Rayo Vallecano. There’s less than a month left to play but nothing is decided yet as all three relegation spots are still wide open. Here’s a recap of Sunday’s action in Spain.

Last place Mallorca failed to move off the bottom of the table after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Levante. Despite out-shooting the visitors by a ridiculous seven-to-one margin, Mallorca simply couldn’t find a winner against the stubborn Levante defense.

Odion Ighalo’s 28th minute goal was all Granada needed to pull off a huge win in their attempt to stave off relegation. El Graná moved up to 15th, four points clear of the drop zone, while Malaga failed to keep pace with Valenica as they pursue fourth place.

Atletico meanwhile secured a Champions League place for next season and need just six more points to guarantee a third place finish and an automatic place in the group stages.

Madrid, after looking lackluster at best for most of the half, finally responded in the 26th minute as Di Maria’s shot in from outside the Valladolid area was deflected by Marc Valiente into the net. Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead in the 32nd minute with a nice header inside the far post off a cross from Di Maria.

Normalcy restored...or not.

Valladolid are healthy and will be looking for their first away win against Madrid since a 1-0 win back in May of 2000.

Real Madrid injuries and suspensions

Celta remain in 18th, tied in points, behind Deportivo La Coruña on a tiebreaker. Depor could open up some breathing room if they can take points off Atletico Madrid but Celta’s single point gives them some wiggle room.

Celta were the better side for most of the first half but they failed to finish their chances and were punished two minutes before the halftime break.

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(21:00 CET, 3:00 p.m. ET)