Defeat sends Zaragoza down
19 May 2008 - 09:05:08
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- Defeat sends Zaragoza down
Real Zaragoza's five-year stay in La Liga came to an end when they lost 3-2 to Mallorca on the final day of the season.
It has been a rapid fall from grace for a side that finished sixth last season, thanks largely to 23 goals from Diego Milito, and played in this term's UEFA Cup.
Zaragoza are relegated alongside Murcia and Levante after winning only once away from home all season.
Kick-offs in all three games that affected the relegation dogfight were delayed by an hour after torrential rain on Mallorca left the pitch in a waterlogged condition. The games in Huelva and Santander were also put back to ensure fairness.
Huelva and Valladolid drew 1-1 but the only result that mattered at the bottom was Zaragoza's as they had to avoid defeat against Mallorca to have any chance of staying up.
Osasuna finished only one point above the bottom three after losing 1-0 to Racing Santander, who finished sixth to claim the final UEFA Cup spot ahead of Mallorca.
Champions Real Madrid thrashed rock-bottom Levante 5-2 at the Bernabeu with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Sergio Ramos both grabbing braces. Alexandre Geijo scored both Levante's goals.
Fifth-placed Sevilla will take part in the UEFA Cup next season after cruising to a 4-1 win against mid-table Athletic Bilbao while Almeria finished eighth after defeating struggling Espanyol 3-1.
Deportivo la Coruna lost 2-0 at home to Villarreal who finished as runners-up, eight points behind the champions.
Getafe drew 1-1 with Real Betis while Valencia managed to clinch a top-half finish after beating fourth-placed Athletico Madrid 3-1.