Sporting avoid relegation, Rayo, Getafe go down in La Liga

Sporting Gijon avoided relegation from La Liga football competition but Rayo Vallecano and Getafe joined Levante in dropping down to the Spanish second division.

FC Barcelona were crowned as league champions thanks to Luis Suarez's hat-trick that gave them a 3-0 win in Granada, while Athletic Club Bilbao were assured fifth place and direct qualification to the group stage of the Europa League on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

Getafe's players knew that a win away to Real Betis would assure their survival on Saturday, while Sporting Gijon hoped for Getafe to drop points and a home win against Villarreal to assure their top-flight survival.

Rayo, meanwhile, needed both Sporting and Getafe to drop points coupled with a home win against already relegated Levante in order to stay up for another year.

Midfielder Jony Rodriguez gave Abelardo Fernandez's side the lead against a depleted Villarreal in the seventh minute with a fine volley, and Sergio Alvarez ensured their top-flight status a year after promotion with a 25-yard strike 11 minutes from time.

Sporting's destiny was out of their hands going into the final day of the season but Getafe's 2-1 defeat at Real Betis meant they took the final place outside the drop zone, finishing 17th on 39 points.

Getafe were relegated from the top flight after second-half goals from German Pezzella and Ruben Castro secured Real Betis a 2-1 home win.

--IANS

sam/vt