Riquelme hits spot for Villarreal

By Andy Hall

A second-half penalty from Juan Román Riquelme lifted Villarreal CF into third place in the Primera División and consigned their opponents Albacete Balompié to second division football next season.

Forlán denied
Villarreal always looked the most likely winners at the Madrigal and began their meeting with gusto but made little headway as Albacete defended in numbers. Diego Forlán was unlucky to hit the woodwork on 33 minutes but in the 66th minute, his side got the breakthrough they were waiting for when a penalty was awarded after a foul on José Mari Romero.

Albacete relegated
Riquelme successfully converted to register his 15th league goal of the season and one goal proved enough for Villarreal to overtake Sevilla, move third and guarantee European football next season, while Albacete return to the Segunda División.

Betis record
Real Betis Balompié moved into fifth after defeating Club Atlético de Madrid 2-1 in the Spanish capital. Striker Ricardo Oliveira took his season's tally to 21 with two goals, thus improving on the new club scoring record that he set last week. Atlético remain eleventh with 48 points.

Valencia held
RCD Espanyol drop to sixth but remain three points ahead of Valencia CF after Toni Velamazán's late strike earned a 2-2 draw against Antonio López's side. Valencia took the lead with a superb strike from Francisco Rufete but Espanyol levelled from the penalty spot through Raúl Tamudo after an incident that saw Valencia keeper Andrés Palop dismissed. David García's own goal looked to have given Valencia an unlikely victory, however, before Velazmán poached a late equaliser.

Points shared
Two goals apiece for Real Zaragoza's David Generelo and RC Deportivo La Coruña debutant Xisco Jiménez ensured the points were also shared at La Romareda. The result did neither side any favours as it ended any possibility of earning a UEFA Cup berth. Málaga CF settle into 12th position after securing a 3-1 win at Real Sociedad de Fútbol with Fernando Baiano finding the target twice.

Mallorca reprieve
RCD Mallorca's hopes of avoiding relegation are still alive after a breathtaking 4-3 victory against Athletic Club Bilbao. The islanders remain 18th but are now just one point from safety while Athletic are in eighth. Real Racing Club Santander secured their top-flight status with a 2-1 win against Getafe CF, while CA Osasuna were held 2-2 by the already-relegated CD Numancia.