Valencia beats champions Barcelona but misses out on European spot

Valencia secured a significant 3-1 victory over league champions FC Barcelona at the Estadio Mestalla on the final matchday of the Spanish league season. However, the celebratory mood was tempered as the win was not enough to earn Valencia a European competition berth. Their hopes were dashed by simultaneous victories from Getafe and Rayo Vallecano, who secured the final European spots.

FC Barcelona opened the scoring in the 61st minute with a goal from Robert Lewandowski, deflecting a shot from Ferran Torres. Valencia mounted a strong comeback in the second half, netting goals through Javi Guerra in the 66th minute, Luis Rioja in the 71st, and Guido Rodríguez in stoppage time at 90+7'. The home team needed not only a win but also favorable results from other matches to qualify for the Conference League.

Despite fulfilling their part by defeating the champions, the results elsewhere proved decisive. Getafe's 1-0 win over Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano's 2-1 victory against Alavés meant Valencia's late surge fell short. Valencia concluded the campaign in ninth place with 49 points, while Barcelona, having already secured the LaLiga title, finished with an impressive 94 points. The match was attended by 46,457 spectators and officiated by Adrián Cordero Vega.