BARCELONA: Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid to keep their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League alive, which were further boosted by Real Betis’s 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.
At Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium Borja Iglesias scored a fine goal for Celta, sixth, to help them keep pressure on Real Betis, fifth.
The hosts, with nothing left to play for this season after Champions League semi-final elimination by Arsenal this week, are fourth and already assured of playing in that competition again next season.
It was confirmed earlier this week that five Spanish sides will qualify for the Champions League from La Liga, guaranteeing Atletico a spot.
Spain international Iglesias’s neat chip helped Celta move within three points of Real Betis, who face Real Sociedad later on.
“Even in the toughest moments this team has kept on dreaming,” Iglesias told DAZN. “Obviously it’s not easy to compete at this level, we’re happy to be in this fight right now.
“If we keep on looking upwards, just imagine... I think we deserve it, and we’ll try to get it.”
Real Betis threw away a two-goal lead in a draw at Real Sociedad, leaving them four points ahead of Celta with three games to go. Former Manchester United winger Antony missed two huge chances before eventually sending the Andalucians ahead with the hardest of his opportunities, curling home from outside the box.
Ez Abde scored a superb second for the visitors soon after half-time, surging in down the left and whipping a strike into the top corner.
Orri Oskarsson pulled one back for the Basques, eighth, and Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Aitor Ruibal handled.
Ruibal was later sent off for a second yellow card for a foul as Betis left frustrated.
Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2026
