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April 15, 2013

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Sociedad remains on course for Europe

A QUICK-FIRE double from Imanol Agirretxe helped fourth-placed Real Sociedad to a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano yesterday that strengthened its hold on the last Champions League qualification berth in La Liga.

The club from San Sebastian was two-up inside 14 minutes as it moved on to 54 points with seven games left to play.

Sociedad is eight points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, which was hosting Granada later, but four ahead of Malaga and Valencia in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Malaga grabbed a last-gasp winner to beat Osasuna 1-0 on Saturday as Valencia was denied in equally-dramatic fashion by Espanyol in a 3-3 draw.

Agirretxe netted twice from close range after low crosses from the left at a sun-drenched Vallecas stadium, and Rayo responded with a double tactical substitution of both its right-sided players in the 16th minute. While it plugged the hole it failed to turn the game, and Rayo's push for a place in Europe next season faltered as it stayed ninth with 44 points.

On Saturday, Espanyol levelled with the last kick of the game to draw 3-3 at home to Valencia, with three goals coming in a frantic final seven minutes.

Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia muscled his way past Victor Ruiz to shoot into the net in the 94th, after Valencia looked to have taken all three points with two quick goals at the end.

Jonas fired in from the edge of the area from Roberto Soldado's knock down to make it 2-2 in the 87th and Spain striker Soldado then lifted the ball over Kiko Casilla for what looked like the decider in the 91st.

Espanyol had twice led through Wakaso and then Joan Verdu, with Sergio Canales grabbing a first equalizer in the 53rd.


 

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