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Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal celebrates after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Athletic in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Manu Fernandez\/AP Photo\/Manu Fernandez<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, right, is congratulated after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, May 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Alberto Saiz\/AP Photo\/Alberto Saiz<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his side’s opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, May 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Alberto Saiz\/AP Photo\/Alberto Saiz<\/p>\n
Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, left, celebrates after a goal during a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Athletic in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Manu Fernandez\/AP Photo\/Manu Fernandez<\/p>\n
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) \u2014 Girona and Mallorca were relegated after playing their last games of the La Liga season on Saturday, while Robert Lewandowski bid farewell to Barcelona.<\/p>\n
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Girona and Mallorca both needed to win and for other results to favor them to make a last-gasp escape from the bottom three spots. They had no such luck and both will join last-placed Real Oviedo in the second division next season.<\/p>\n
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A victory would have saved Girona but the team that just two seasons ago finished third in La Liga couldn’t better a 1-1 home draw with Elche. That result meant Elche ensured its safety.<\/p>\n
Mallorca beat Oviedo 3-0 but its goal difference with Osasuna and Levante did it in.<\/p>\n
Celta Vigo locked up a sixth-place finish and the resulting Europa League berth after beating Sevilla 1-0.<\/p>\n
Getafe is going to the Conference League after securing seventh place with a 1-0 win over Osasuna.<\/p>\n
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Champion Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis had already locked up the top five spots and the resulting Champions League berths before the last round.<\/p>\n
The season concludes on Sunday with Atletico at Villarreal to see which finishes third.<\/p>\n
Lewandowski scores in last game<\/p>\n
Lewandowski scored in his last game for Barcelona, netting the champion’s only goal in a 3-1 loss at Valencia.<\/p>\n
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The 37-year-old striker and Barcelona decided to part ways this summer after he spent four seasons at the club. His goal at Mestalla Stadium was No. 120 in blue and burgundy.<\/p>\n
Barcelona clinched the league title with three rounds remaining.<\/p>\n
Carvajal and Arbeloa say adi\u00f3s<\/p>\n
Dani Carvajal received ovations from the Santiago Bernabeu and wept when he was substituted in the veteran right back’s last game for Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
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Carvajal, whose contract is about to expire, assisted Gonzalo Garc\u00eda for the opening goal. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 added goals in the 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.<\/p>\n
Carvajal, 34, helped Madrid win six Champions Leagues since 2013 as its top-choice right back \u2014 until the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season.<\/p>\n
Madrid coach \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa also bowed out four months after replacing Xabi Alonso. He was unable to turn things around for a Madrid that finished second and without a trophy this campaign. Spanish media speculates that Jos\u00e9 Mourinho is close to returning to Madrid.<\/p>\n
Defender David Alaba also played his last match for Madrid.<\/p>\n
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Azpilicueta retires<\/p>\n
Former Chelsea defender C\u00e9sar Azpilicueta played his last match as a professional before retiring when Sevilla visited Celta.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old Azpilicueta helped win multiple trophies with Chelsea, including two Premier Leagues and the 2021 Champions League, when he was team captain.<\/p>\n
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