BARCELONA: Real Mad­rid’s departing great Karim Benzema struck from the penalty spot to earn his side a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in La Liga as he said goodbye to fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Real Valladolid were relegated after a 0-0 draw with Getafe, while five other sides near the bottom were able to breathe a sigh of relief after a gripping conclusion to the season.

Champions Barcelona were beaten 2-1 at Celta Vigo, with Gabri Veiga’s brace ensuring the Galician side will remain in the top flight next season.

Benzema, whom Real confirmed would leave this summer earlier in the day, departing after 14 years at the club, rolled his penalty down the middle to level the game, before being substituted to great applause.

The draw ensured Real Madrid would finish above city rivals Atletico Madrid in second place, after Diego Simeone’s side tied 2-2 at Villarreal on the final day.

“I spoke with him this morning and he told me he was going. He’s taken the decision and I told him I respect it completely,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti said Benzema’s choice came by surprise, after the Italian himself said he expected the forward to stay.

“I have coached one of the best in the world, not a forward, a complete footballer,” continued the coach.

“A very friendly, humble, serious person. We can’t be happy he is going, but we have to respect his decision. What he has done at this club is legendary and unforgettable.”

Athletic were the stronger team and only a stunning Thibaut Courtois penalty save to deny Mikel Vesga kept his team level at the break.

Oihan Sancet struck early in the second half to give the visitors the lead but Benzema netted from the spot after a soft penalty was given for a foul on Eder Militao.

It was the 35-year-old’s 354th goal of a sparkling career in the Spanish capital after his 2009 move from Olympique Lyonnais.

Benzema, who has won five Champions League titles and four La Liga titles, seems to be set to play in Saudi Arabia, where former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has moved.

Vinicius Junior made his first appearance for Real Madrid since he was racially abused by Valencia fans, causing worldwide anger and support for him.

Real, who had set the bar too high for themselves, had a disappointing season — they won the Copa del Rey but were beaten by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals and finished 10 points behind their bitter rivals, champions Barcelona.

Xavi Hernandez’s side were beaten at Balaidos, with Veiga slotting home in the first half and then adding a second from an attempted cross which flew in.

Ansu Fati pulled a goal back for the champions but they could not find a leveller.

Meanwhile, Valladolid could not find a way through against Getafe and were relegated.

“There’s little explanation, the team tried, we tried to make it hard for Getafe but we didn’t do it,” said Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

“It’s a huge shame for all the team, all the fans, all the city, I can’t say much more. We needed to score, there was no other way.”

Their final hope would have been a late Espanyol winner against Almeria, but the Andalusians held on for a 3-3 draw to survive by a point in 17th place.

Valencia were another team who started the day in danger but they earned a 1-1 draw at Real Betis, who said their own goodbye to captain Joaquin Sanchez.

The 41-year-old is retiring and made his 622nd appearance in the top flight.

Osasuna beat Girona 2-1 to climb above Athletic and sna­tch seventh place — qualification to next season’s Europa Conference League.

Final standings

(Tabulated under played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Barcelona 38 28 4 6 70 20 88

Real Madrid 38 24 6 8 75 36 78

Atletico Madrid 38 23 8 7 70 33 77

Real Sociedad 38 21 8 9 51 35 71

Villarreal 38 19 7 12 59 40 64

Real Betis 38 17 9 12 46 41 60

Osasuna 38 15 8 15 37 42 53

Athletic Bilbao 38 14 9 15 47 43 51

Real Mallorca 38 14 8 16 37 43 50

Girona 38 13 10 15 58 55 49

Rayo Vallecano 38 13 10 15 45 53 49

Sevilla 38 13 10 15 47 54 49

Celta Vigo 38 11 10 17 43 53 43

Cadiz 38 10 12 16 30 53 42

Getafe 38 10 12 16 34 45 42

Valencia 38 11 9 18 42 45 42

Almeria 38 11 8 19 49 65 41

Real Valladolid 38 11 7 20 33 63 40

Espanyol 38 8 13 17 52 69 37

Elche 38 5 10 23 30 67 25

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023