Levante, Getafe concede late goals to stay in danger of drop
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Levante and Getafe both conceded late goals in disappointing draws at home on Sunday that hurt their chances of avoiding relegation from the Spanish league.
Levante couldn't stop Athletic Bilbao from scoring twice in the final minutes to finish 2-2 and remains at the bottom of the standings with only three rounds remaining.
Getafe stayed immediately above Levante after seeing its fightback frustrated when Valencia scored for a 2-2 stalemate.
Villarreal, Liverpool's opponent in the Europa League semifinals on Thursday, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in a lackluster home match as it stayed in fourth place.
"One more point. Now we can think about Liverpool, a game to enjoy and one our fans have been looking forward to," Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.
Sevilla beat Real Betis 2-0 in a derby for its first win in six rounds to warm up for its Europa League semifinal against Shakhtar Donetsk, also on Thursday.
Levante was set to provisionally escape last place after going 2-0 up at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium with a goal by Victor Casadesus and an own goal by Xabier Etxeita.
But Inaki Williams set up strikes for Markel Susaeta in the 88th and Mikel San Jose in stoppage time to ensure the hosts stayed at the foot of the table.
"This is the toughest result I have had as a manager," Levante coach Joan "Rubi" Ferrer said. "Good fortune hasn't shone on us one single day. My players left it all on the pitch today - they got tired at the end of the match and we weren't able to take the recompense we deserved, which was to win."
Bilbao remained in fifth place at six points behind Villarreal and the last Champions League berth.
Getafe fans endured the extra sting of former players scoring both of Valencia's goals.
Dani Parejo curled a free kick over the barrier to put Valencia ahead shortly after halftime.
Getafe rallied to take the lead with goals by Alvaro Medran and Stefan Scepovic, but Alvaro Negredo went on for Valencia and stole possession before assisting Paco Alcacer for the 84th-minute equalizer.
Getafe was left one point from safety along with Sporting Gijon. Levante is four points from safety.
"The best message (for our supporters) is not what we say, but what they see: the sacrifice and the effort of my players," Getafe coach Juan Esnaider said. "Today there was a spectacular atmosphere at the stadium, and we will give it our all until we have nothing left."
In Seville, Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro headed in his 16th league goal of the season in the 67th before substitute Jorge "Coke" Andujar finished off Betis with a shot from long range.