Girona FC and RCD Mallorca were relegated after playing their final matches of the La Liga season, while Robert Lewandowski and Dani Carvajal bid emotional farewells to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, respectively.
Both Girona and Mallorca entered the final round needing victories along with favourable results elsewhere to avoid relegation. However, neither outcome materialised. The two clubs will join bottom-placed Real Oviedo in the second division next season.
Girona could have secured survival with a win, but the side that remarkably finished third in La Liga just two seasons ago was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Elche CF. The result confirmed Elche’s survival in the top flight.
Mallorca, meanwhile, defeated Oviedo 3-0, but an inferior goal difference compared to CA Osasuna and Levante UD ultimately condemned them to relegation. “I am devastated. We only have ourselves to blame for going down,” Mallorca midfielder Sergi Darder admitted after the match.
Celta Vigo secured a sixth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League by defeating Sevilla FC 1-0. Getafe CF also booked a place in Europe after clinching seventh spot and qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League with a 1-0 victory over Osasuna.
The top five spots and accompanying UEFA Champions League berths had already been sealed by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal CF, Atlético Madrid and Real Betis before the final weekend. The season will officially conclude on Sunday when Atlético Madrid face Villarreal to determine which side finishes third.
Lewandowski signs off with a goal
Lewandowski marked his final appearance for Barcelona by scoring the club’s lone goal in a 3-1 defeat away to Valencia CF. The 37-year-old striker and Barcelona mutually decided to part ways this summer after four seasons together. His strike at Mestalla Stadium was his 120th goal for the Catalan club. Barcelona had already wrapped up the league title with three games remaining.
Emotional farewell for Carvajal and Arbeloa
At the Santiago Bernabéu, Carvajal received a standing ovation and broke into tears after being substituted during his final appearance for Real Madrid. The veteran right-back, whose contract expires this summer, assisted Gonzalo García for Madrid’s opening goal, while Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé added goals in the 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
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Carvajal, 34, played a key role in Real Madrid’s dominance over the past decade, helping the club win six Champions League titles since 2013 before losing his starting role following the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season.
“Today I cannot stop thinking about the incredible era we shared together,” an emotional Carvajal told supporters after the match. Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa also departed the club after only four months in charge following his replacement of Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa was unable to revive a Madrid side that finished second and ended the season without silverware. Reports in Spanish media suggest that José Mourinho could be close to making a return to the club. Defender David Alaba also played his final game for Madrid.
Azpilicueta announces retirement
Former Chelsea FC defender César Azpilicueta brought his professional career to an end after Sevilla’s match against Celta Vigo.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a highly successful spell with Chelsea, winning multiple major honours including two Premier League titles and the 2021 Champions League triumph, captaining the side during that victorious campaign.
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