Real Betis beat rock-bottom Espanyol later on Thursday
Thursday 25 June 2020 23:41, UK
Valencia's chances of qualifying for the Champions League took a hit with a 1-0 loss at relegation-threatened Eibar in La Liga on Thursday.
An own goal by Geoffrey Kondogbia in the 16th minute sealed victory for Eibar, who remain in 17th place but have opened up a four-point gap to the relegation zone.
Kondogbia found his own net when a corner went through several players and ricocheted off his leg and Valencia's night ended on a further sour note when defender Eliaquim Mangala was sent off in the 90th minute for a foul that drew a second yellow card.
The result leaves Valencia in eighth place - seven points behind Sevilla, who occupy the final qualification spot for Europe's top club competition, and two points behind sixth-placed Villarreal in the final Europa League spot.
Eibar players celebrated a first win after the pandemic break by greeting fans who watched the match from the balconies of nearby buildings overlooking the Ipurua Municipal Stadium.
But Valencia have lost two of their four matches since the restart and have not won on the road since December.
League leaders Real Madrid visit Espanyol on Sunday, while second-placed Barcelona travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday.
The Spanish powerhouses are tied on points but Real have a better head-to-head record with seven games left.
Later on Thursday, Real Betis sealed a 1-0 win over bottom club Espanyol.
Marc Bartra's header was enough to settle the game.
