Atletico Madrid took a major step toward securing their Champions League spot for next season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Osasuna on Tuesday night. The win keeps Diego Simeone's side in fourth place in La Liga with 66 points, trailing only newly-crowned champions Barcelona (91 points), Real Madrid (77), and Villarreal (69)—all three of whom still have a game in hand.
The match started brightly for Atletico when English forward Ademola Lookman converted a penalty in the 15th minute after Javi Galan was penalized for handball. The visitors doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth headed home from close range past goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez. However, the night wasn't without drama for Atletico—midfielder Marcos Llorente was sent off for two rash challenges, leaving his team to defend their lead with ten men.
Osasuna pushed hard for a comeback, and Kike Barja pulled one back deep into injury time, setting up a tense finish. But Atletico held on, showing the resilience that has defined their season. The result keeps them firmly in the race for a top-four finish, though they'll need to maintain this momentum in the final stretch.
Meanwhile, Real Betis sealed their own Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over Elche. The victory guarantees Betis at least a fifth-place finish, marking their return to Europe's elite competition for the first time since the 2005-06 season. With 57 points and a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Celta Vigo, Manuel Pellegrini's side can now look forward to facing Europe's best next season.
At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is heating up. Levante climbed out of the bottom three with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Celta Vigo, who saw their own Champions League hopes take a hit. Five clubs are now locked on 39 points in the relegation zone, including Elche, who lost to Betis, and Espanyol, who face Sevilla on Thursday.
For fans of Atletico and Betis, this is a moment to celebrate—and perhaps a good time to stock up on some fresh gear to show support as these teams prepare for their European adventures next season.