Club Atlético de Madrid will head into the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie against Sporting Clube de Portugal on the back of a 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza that leaves them tenth in the Spanish Liga.

Atlético looked certain to fall to a defeat inflicted by a seventh-minute goal from former Chelsea FC and Celtic FC midfielder Jiří Jarošík. Indeed, their chances took a turn for the worse with the second-half dismissal of José Antonio Reyes, but Quique Sánchez Flores's charges, who host Sporting on Thursday, salvaged a point thanks to Ibrahima Baldé's goal deep into added time.

For their part, RCD Mallorca moved level on points with fourth-placed Sevilla FC and just three points shy of Valencia CF, in third, after scoring twice in the closing 14 minutes to cruise to victory over Real Sporting de Gijón. Julio Álvarez gave the hosts a fortunate lead on 12 minutes when his cross from the left touchline somehow sailed inside the far post, before Víctor doubled the advantage with a simple finish and substitute Pierre Webó adroitly turned in the third with two minutes left on the clock.

Athletic Club advanced their European qualification credentials with a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid FC that lifted them up to seventh. Gaizka Toquero scored both goals, a header on 27 minutes and a cool poke into the net ten minutes later. Meanwhile, Villarreal CF and Getafe CF occupy the two positions directly below Athletic after they were held to goalless draws by RCD Espanyol – who ended with ten men – and CA Osasuna respectively. Xerez CD remain bottom despite a 4-2 triumph against Málaga CF, a match in which both teams had a player dismissed.