• LaLiga

Sports Desk, May 20 (EFE).-

Norway striker Alexander Sorloth scored as Villarreal snatched a thrilling 4-4 draw against Real Madrid, but more importantly, Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in the Spanish LaLiga on Sunday to confirm their berth in the lucrative Super Cup next season.

In the penultimate round of the league, Real Sociedad edged Real Betis 2-0 to secure the last Europa League spot with a win, while Cadiz drew with Las Palmas 0-0 to become the last team to be relegated after Granada and Almeria.

All eyes were on Barcelona after the turmoil in the club over the future of coach Xavi Hernandez, but there was not much reflection of it on the field.

Robert Lewandowski struck early, and Pedri added a late brace as they claimed the three points that they needed to make sure of second place.

Lewandowski collected a pass from Lamine Yamal and smashed the ball home in just three minutes.

Rayo keeper Stole Dimitrievski stood in Barcelona’s way of increasing their lead until Pedri broke his resistance late in the second half.

The midfielder scored from a rebound after Joao Felix’s initial attempt was blocked moments before he scored his second goal of the night, having received a pass from Ronald Araujo.

Xavi gave no fresh indication of his future in the post-match.

“We have to talk somehow, but I’m calm,” he said.

Despite fielding a side full of reserve players, Real led Villarreal 4-1 in the first half, thanks to a brace from Arda Guler and one each from Joselu and Lucas Vazquez.

However, Sorloth, who scored 23 goals in LaLiga this season, had other plans.

Sorloth struck his side’s only goal in the first half and added three more goals after the break to halt the nine-match winning streak of Real Madrid, who were assured of their 36th LaLiga title three weeks ago. EFE

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