The LaLiga regular season came to a dramatic close on May 23, with a final matchday packed with suspense, emotional farewells, and major shake-ups at both ends of the table. With European spots and top-flight survival on the line, both established giants and desperate underdogs gave everything on the pitch, delivering a day marked by tension, celebration, and tears.
Match Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| Deportivo Alavés | 1 - 2 | Rayo Vallecano de Madrid |
| Getafe CF | 1 - 0 | CA Osasuna |
| Girona | 1 - 1 | Elche CF |
| RC Celta de Vigo | 1 - 0 | Sevilla |
| RCD Espanyol de Barcelona | 1 - 1 | Real Sociedad de Fútbol |
| RCD Mallorca | 3 - 0 | Real Oviedo |
| Real Betis Balompié | 2 - 1 | Levante UD |
| Real Madrid CF | 4 - 2 | Athletic Club |
| Valencia CF | 3 - 1 | FC Barcelona |
At Mestalla, all eyes were on Valencia CF, who pulled off a shock 3-1 win over the newly crowned champions, FC Barcelona. Already assured of the title before the final matchday, Barça fielded a rotated and youthful side, resting key players like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. Valencia CF seized their opportunity, showing great determination to keep their European dream alive. This emphatic victory capped off a remarkable season for the Valencians and highlighted the league’s competitiveness, as Hansi Flick’s side now turns its focus to new continental challenges.
Elsewhere, the relegation battle lived up to its billing, sealing the fate of three teams in heartbreaking fashion. Girona FC’s 1-1 home draw against Elche CF condemned the Catalans to relegation, just two years after their Champions League fairy tale. Emotions ran high at Montilivi, where Girona, having come from behind, couldn’t snatch the desperately needed win. Meanwhile, RCD Mallorca’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over already-relegated Real Oviedo had a bitter aftertaste: despite their display, Mallorca were edged out on head-to-head results and join Girona and Oviedo in dropping down a division. For both clubs, the final whistle marked the painful end of a season full of hope and disappointment.
In the capital, Real Madrid CF wrapped up a turbulent season with a 4-2 win over Athletic Club, delivering a final victory for outgoing coach Alvaro Arbeloa. In front of a grateful crowd, the match symbolized the end of an era at the Bernabéu and hinted at changes to come for Los Merengues. Meanwhile, Getafe CF rose to the occasion under pressure, securing a crucial 1-0 win over CA Osasuna in a decisive European duel, thanks to a rock-solid defense and a vital save from David Soria. RC Celta de Vigo also secured their continental ambitions with a 1-0 win over Sevilla FC, in a tense match that proved decisive for the final European places.
Other fixtures added to the day’s suspense: Real Betis Balompié overcame Levante UD 2-1, thanks to a blistering start from Ez Abde and a decisive goal from Pablo Fornals, allowing Betis to finish on a high note, while Levante preserved their top-flight status thanks to results elsewhere. Rayo Vallecano de Madrid’s 2-1 away win at Deportivo Alavés confirmed the Madrid side’s impressive away run, while RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Fútbol played out a 1-1 draw, reflecting the competitiveness that has characterized the league’s mid-table this season.
As the curtain falls on a frenetic final day, LaLiga bids farewell to some familiar faces and prepares to write new stories in the season ahead. Between the title, realized European dreams, and cruel relegations, the conclusion of the 2025-26 season will be remembered for its emotional intensity and the constant suspense that define the legend of Spanish football.