Levante UD and Getafe both conceded late goals in disappointing draws at home on Sunday that hurt their chances of avoiding relegation from La Liga.
Levante could not stop Athletic Bilbao from scoring twice in the final minutes to finish 2-2 and they remain bottom of the standings with only three matches remaining.
Getafe stayed immediately above Levante after seeing their fightback frustrated when Valencia scored for a 2-2 stalemate.
Photo: EPA
Villarreal, Liverpool’s opponent in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in a lackluster match as they stayed in fourth place.
“One more point. Now we can think about Liverpool, a game to enjoy and one our fans have been looking forward to,” Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.
Sevilla beat Real Betis Balompie 2-0 in the derby for their first win in six to warm up for their Europa League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Levante were set to provisionally escape last place after going 2-0 up at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia with a goal by Victor Casadesus and an own-goal by Xabier Etxeita, but Inaki Williams set up strikes for Markel Susaeta in the 88th minute and Mikel San Jose in stoppage-time to ensure the hosts stayed at the foot of the table.
“This is the toughest result I have had as a manager,” Levante coach Joan Ferrer said. “Good fortune hasn’t shone on us one single day.”
Bilbao remained in fifth place, six points behind Villarreal and the last Champions League berth.
Getafe fans endured the extra sting of former players scoring both of Valencia’s goals.
Dani Parejo curled a free-kick over the wall to put Valencia ahead shortly after halftime.
Getafe rallied to take the lead with goals by Alvaro Medran and Stefan Scepovic, but substitute Alvaro Negredo stole possession before assisting Paco Alcacer for the 84th-minute equalizer.
Getafe were left one point from safety.
“The best message [for our supporters] is not what we say, but what they see — the sacrifice and the effort of my players,” Getafe coach Juan Esnaider said.
In Seville, Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro headed in his 16th league goal of the season in the 67th minute, before substitute Jorge “Coke” Andujar finished off Betis with a long-range shot.
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