2024 closed by five-star Villarreal

The curtain has come down on La Liga for 2024 with an action-packed final Friday of the calendar year.

Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Sevilla ensures the defending champions start 2025 in second place, while Villarreal sit in fifth place after a 5-2 win at Leganés.

Here’s how Sunday’s action unfolded…

Valencia 2-2 Alaves

Valencia remains stuck in the relegation zone at the end of the year, having earned a 2-2 draw at home against Alavés.

Carlos Martin scored to give the visitors a lead in the seventh minute, which lasted well into the second half, before Luis Rioja tied from the penalty spot.

Juan Jordan He then hit back with a penalty for Alavés in the final minutes, but there was a further twist in time as Dani Gomez shot home in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

#ValenciaAlavés 🦇🦊

⚽ 2-2 | END OF THE MATCH#ADNVCF pic.twitter.com/HEMtYOiB2w

—Valencia CF (@valenciacf) December 22, 2024

Las Palmas 1-0 Espanyol

Las Palmas and Espanyol approach the break in contrasting fashion, with the islanders adding ten points in their last four unbeaten games.

Espanyol have failed to win in their last four games and it was the hosts who emerged victorious in Gran Canaria.

With opportunities scarce for much of the game, he was a veteran forward. Sandro Ramirez who made the difference, as he scored a free kick for his seventh league goal of the campaign.

DON SANDRO RAMÍREZ and 3 points for the buchaca.
Espanyol has to work hard to save itself from the worst teams that have passed through Gran Canaria.
Good luck, dear @futbolycine. pic.twitter.com/ZcRPmZqomU

— Javier Suárez “Gastro” (@javierS_gastro) December 22, 2024

Leganes 2-5 Villarreal

If goals were scarce in Gran Canaria, they were not lacking in Madrid, as Villarreal sealed a great victory in Leganés.

Thierno Barry He achieved his first treble in Spanish football, but despite Leganés having two players sent off, Villarreal had to wait until the 90th minute to seal the victory.

Most goals this LaLiga season by an under-22 player:

7 – Thierno Barry
6-Jude Bellingham pic.twitter.com/no1KXWn18J

– StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 22, 2024

With Leganés clinging to 3-2, Pau Cabanes and Gerardo Moreno both scored, to keep Villarreal in the hunt for a top-four spot in 2025.

Real Betis 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

In the last match of 2024, there was a moment of festive positivity, as Isco He put Real Betis ahead from the penalty spot, with his first goal since returning from a broken leg.

😎💚 Isco scores again for Real Betis! 🇪🇸

His recent injury kept him out for seven months… but now he is shining again in La Liga. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/h1FewpyLVf

-EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 22, 2024

However, the visitors recovered after the break and Fill Palazón scored a well-deserved draw at home.

Images via Getty Images / One Football