Makaay scores 29th

Valencia wins at Sevilla as season nears finale

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Striker Juan Sanchez scored twice Saturday as Valencia gained an emphatic 3-0 victory at Sevilla in the 38th and final round of the Spanish league.

Sanchez netted in the 30th and 54th minutes, with Argentine forward Pablo Aimar grabbing the first goal in the 20th, as the defending champion closed a disappointing season by securing fifth place in the standings.

This season's titlist will be known Sunday when Real Madrid hosts sixth-place Athletic de Bilbao, while Real Sociedad entertains Atletico de Madrid.

Madrid will lift its record 29th championship if it beats Bilbao. If Madrid draws or loses, Sociedad will be crowned titlist for the first time in 21 years with a victory over Atletico.

Saturday's other results were; Deportivo de La Coruna 2, Espanyol 1; Rayo Vallecano 0, Recreativo de Huelva 0; Mallorca 1, Malaga 0; Alaves 1, Valladolid 1; and Racing de Santander 2, Osasuna 3.

Deportivo de La Coruna bowed out with a 2-1 home win over Espanyol to finish third with 72 points.

The league's leading scorer, Dutch striker Roy Makaay, equalized in the 74th minute to take his season's tally to 29 goals, while Spanish international Alberto Luque hit the winning goal a minute later.

Forward Roger Garcia opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Espanyol, which ended in 17th position with 43 points.

Relegated Rayo Vallecano and Recreativo de Huelva bid farewell to the first division with a dull goalless draw, watched by a mere 3,000 spectators.

Rayo finished last with 32 points. Recreativo ended 18th with 36, although it has the consolation of its first Copa del Rey final next Saturday when it faces Mallorca.

Mallorca warmed up for the match with a 1-0 win over Malaga thanks to an injury-time strike by substitute Antoni "Tuni" Androver.

Alaves, the third relegated team, drew 1-1 with Valladolid. Alaves finished 19th with 35 points, while Valladolid was 14th with 46.

Osasuna ended the season on a high note with a 3-2 win at Racing de Santander through goals by midfielder Inaki Munoz, forward Gorka Brit and Australian striker John Aloisi. Osasuna secured 11th place with 47 points, while Santander finished 16th with 44.

Sunday's other games are; FC Barcelona vs. Celta de Vigo; and Villarreal vs. Real Betis.

 

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