Zaragoza doomed while Racing rejoice

Real Zaragoza were consigned to relegation after a 3-2 defeat by RCD Mallorca as Real Racing Club Santander secured their place in the UEFA Cup.

Racing qualification
With the UEFA Champions League places decided, attention on the final day of the Spanish league season focused on the scramble to avoid relegation from the Primera División and the chase for UEFA Cup qualification – the campaign ending with contrasting emotions for Racing and Zaragoza. A late goal from 18-year-old striker Iván Bolado was enough for Racing to beat CA Osasuna 1-0 to finish in sixth spot, claiming the final UEFA Cup berth in the process, and the result meant Mallorca have to settle for UEFA Intertoto Cup football.

Zaragoza woe
The islanders may have been disappointed at that outcome, but their success had greater ramifications for Zaragoza, who dropped out of the top-flight as a result. There had been hope of salvation when Ricardo Oliveira (55) cancelled out Daniel Guiza's opener but Pierre Webo and Gonzalo Castro downed the visitors prior to Oliveira's added-time reply. Zaragoza's demise spared Osasuna by a single point, while RC Recreativo de Huelva and Real Valladolid CF were also kept clear of a nervous end to the season during their 1-1 draw.

Champions cruise
Elsewhere, Real Madrid CF celebrated their title success in style with a 5-2 home cruise against bottom side Levante UD, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Sergio Ramos both scoring twice, while second-placed Villarreal CF were 2-0 victors at RC Deportivo La Coruña. Fourth-placed Club Atlético de Madrid succumbed 3-1 at Valencia CF, for whom David Villa scored twice, enabling Sevilla FC to finish level on points with them as Frédéric Kanouté's two goals helped them to a 4-1 win against Athletic Club Bilbao. Finally, UD Almería won 3-1 at RCD Espanyol, while Getafe CF drew 1-1 against Real Betis Balompié.