Madrid – After 17 years, Osasuna footballers will play in European cups. Qualification for the European Conference League was guaranteed for the team from Pamplona in the final 38th round of the Spanish league with a 2:1 win over Girona, in which Croatian striker Ante Budimir contributed with both goals. Karim Benzema bid farewell to a 14-year spell at Real Madrid with a penalty goal as his side finished second after a 1-1 draw with Bilbao. Atlético Madrid lost the lead to Villarreal at the end and remained third after a 2-2 draw. Europa League winner Sevilla lost to fourth-placed San Sebastian 1:2.
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Osasuna secured the seventh place thanks to a successful start to the second act, when Budimir first finished Barji's individual action into an empty net in the 52nd minute and three minutes later he added the second goal with his head. In the end, Girona only managed to reduce when the Brazilian Reinier, who is in the team on loan from Real Madrid, made his mark.
The “White Ballet” needed to win over Bilbao to secure second place, but they were losing from the 50th minute when Sancet was given enough space to finish his own shot. Twenty minutes later, Real kicked a penalty after an elbow to Militao's face, and Benzema converted it with a shot into the middle of the goal. The French forward played his final and 439th league game for Real today, tying Fernando Hierro for sixth in appearances for the club.
Real eventually finished runners-up despite the draw as their city rivals Atlético only drew at Villarreal. After Jackson's opening goal, the guests managed to turn the game around, Griezmann twice set up a goal for Correa. The French forward is the most productive player in the competition with 15 goals and 16 assists. But Atlético took the second place in the third minute of Pascal's setup.
Spanish Football League – Round 38:
Mallorca – Vallecano 3:0 (51. Muriqi, 71. Copete, 90.+4 Rodríguez A.), Pamplona – Girona 2:1 (52. and 55. Budimir – 75. Reinier), Real Madrid – Bilbao 1:1 (72. Benzema from pen. – 49 . Sancet), San Sebastian – FC Sevilla 2:1 (28. Méndez, 73. Cho – 77. Lamela), Villarreal – Atlético Madrid 2:2 (9. Jackson, 90.+3 Pascual – 18. and 56. Correa )
