AFCON 2025
In a pivotal week of LaLiga action, Osasuna stunned Atlético Madrid, Real Betis settled for a draw against Rayo Vallecano, and Athletic Bilbao clinched a Champions League berth with a decisive win over Getafe.
Osasuna 2–0 Atlético Madrid
Osasuna bolstered their European ambitions with a commanding 2-0 victory over Atlético Madrid at El Sadar.
Alejandro Catena opened the scoring in the 25th minute, heading in a corner from Bryan Zaragoza. Ante Budimir sealed the win in the 82nd minute, netting his 20th goal of the season, making him LaLiga’s third-highest scorer behind Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski.
Atlético’s struggles on the road persisted, with this defeat marking only one win in their last six away matches and no goals scored in the past three.
Manager Diego Simeone acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “I am failing to motivate the players to replicate their home form during away fixtures.”
The victory propels Osasuna to ninth place, level on points with eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, keeping their hopes alive for European competition next season.
Real Betis 2–2 Rayo Vallecano
Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano played out a 2-2 draw at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Thursday.
Rayo took a 2-0 lead in the first half through goals from Jorge de Frutos and Florian Lejeune, capitalizing on errors by Betis goalkeeper Adrián.
Betis responded strongly after the break, with Cucho Hernández scoring and Isco equalizing from the spot.
The result keeps Betis sixth in La Liga, while Rayo remain eighth, both sides still chasing European qualification.
Athletic Bilbao 2–0 Getafe
Athletic Bilbao secured a pivotal 2-0 victory over Getafe on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, clinching their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
In a match that remained goalless for the majority of the time, Athletic broke the deadlock late in the game. Gorka Guruzeta opened the scoring, followed by a goal from Dani Vivian, sealing the win for the visitors.
The win propels Athletic Bilbao into the top four of La Liga, ensuring their return to Europe’s premier club competition. With two league fixtures remaining—against Valencia and Barcelona—the Basque side aims to solidify their final standing in the league.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Athletic Club, reflecting their consistent performance throughout the season.
The victory ensures Athletic’s return to Europe’s premier competition, highlighting a season of resilience and determination.
