Real Madrid 1–3 Mallorca

Villarreal kept their Champions League hopes alive this evening and ended those of Valencia's as they ran out convincing winners at El Madrigal.

Joseba Llorente was the hero for the home team as he scored twice in the first-half to get Villarreal off to a perfect start.

Even though David Villa added to his tally this season with a finish from close-range, Cani sealed the win with a goal later on.

The victory means that Villarreal have to win against Real Mallorca in their final match of the season and hope that Atletico Madrid lose.

With both teams knowing that they needed a win from the off, the match started at a decent pace, and Llorente probably should have scored as early as the third minute, but missed the target from close-range.

The Basque atoned for that error soon after though as he received the ball from the right-wing in the box, turned and smashed past Cesar in the Valencia goal.

The goal was greeted by a huge roar from El Madrigal and things soon got even better as Llorente grabbed his second after Cani had grazed the woodwork with an effort minutes earlier.

Yet again the goal came from the right-wing as a deep cross found Llorente unmarked and unable to put his header into an empty net.

With the break approaching it looked like been a perfect half for Villarreal but out of nowhere Valencia grabbed a lifeline thanks to Villa.

Juan Mata did well down the left and cut across goal for el Guaje to beat Diego Lopez at the second time of asking from close-range.

The goal might have come against the run of play but it was vital for Valencia and they came out with plenty of gusto after the interval.

Despite their best efforts though they could not break Villarreal down again and Cani secured all three points when he shot past Cesar from inside the box.

Even though Asier Del Horno nearly grabbed one back from a cross late on, it was not to be for Valencia and the news filtering through from Bilbao of Atletico Madrid's win, put a further dampner on their night.