MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid came closer to securing the fourth and final spot in the Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Rodrigo De Paul scored Atletico’s 84th-minute winner to open an eight-point lead over fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao with three games remaining. Athletic drew 2-2 at home with Osasuna on Saturday.
“You know me, we have to keep improving until the end,” said Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone. “We have to keep fighting no matter what.”
It was the third consecutive victory for Atlético, who are three points behind third-placed Barcelona. The Catalan club host sixth-placed Real Sociedad on Monday.
Celta, who lost three of their last five games, were in 16th place, five points above the relegation zone. Rayo Vallecano, who started the weekend in 17th, faced eighth-placed Valencia on Sunday.
CADIZ HOPEFUL
Cádiz, in 18th place, kept their hopes of escaping relegation alive with a 1-0 victory over mid-table Getafe.
Rubén Alcaraz scored the winning goal for the home team by converting a penalty in the 35th minute.
It was Cádiz’s first victory after a series of three defeats and a draw.
REAL MADRID CELEBRATES
Real Madrid, who won their 36th league title last weekend, won 4-0 in Granada on Saturday. The Spanish power celebrated on Sunday parading through the city.
The celebrations did not take place last weekend because Real Madrid faced Bayern Munich on Wednesday, in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Madrid advanced to their second Champions League final in three seasons.
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