Real Betis guaranteed themselves a place in Europe and stayed in the hunt for a Champions League place when they came from a goal down to earn a 3-2 win at home to Real Zaragoza on Saturday.
The result lifted the Andalucians to 61 points, level on points with Villarreal, who travel to newly crowned champions Barcelona on Sunday, and two ahead of fifth-placed city rivals Sevilla, who are away at Getafe.
Betis cannot now finish outside the UEFA Cup places even if they lose their final game of the season against Real Mallorca.
Real Madrid, who are guaranteed second place in the standings behind Barcelona and an automatic place in the Champions League, were held to a 0-0 draw by beleaguered city rivals Atletico in Saturday's late match
With nothing other than bragging rights riding on the outcome it was an unusually lukewarm Madrid derby.
Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of a disappointing game at the Bernabeu was the fact that England captain David Beckham picked up a booking that will earn him a suspension and allow him to join his colleagues for the first game of their post-season tour of the United States.
Beckham was given a yellow card for a late challenge on Atletico midfielder Gonzalo Colsa in the 61st minute which meant that he completed a cycle of five yellow cards and will miss Real's last match of the season at Real Zaragoza.
The game also marked what many believe will be Luis Figo's last appearance for Real at the Bernabeu before a likely move at the end of the season.
The Portuguese winger, who has been consigned to the bench for the last six weeks, received a standing ovation when he was brought on for Beckham 15 minutes from time.
MORE EXCITEMENT
There was far more excitement in Saturday's other match in Sevilla as King's Cup finalists Betis tried to add the finishing touch to a successful season by continuing their bid for a place in the Champions League.
The Andalucians suffered a setback late in the first half when Brazilian forward Savio put Zaragoza ahead when he curled a sweetly struck 20-metre free kick into the corner.
Betis roared back after the break when Spanish international centre-back Juanito equalised with a fine glancing header after Joaquin had swept in a fine curling cross from the left just before the hour.
Leading striker Ricardo Oliveira then put the home side ahead and took his tally for the season to 22 when he smashed home from six metres out after a cutback from right back Fernando Valera 11 minutes later.
Fellow striker Fernando made it 3-1 when he beat the offside trap to latch on to a neat through ball from Arzu, finishing off with a flourish as he curled a shot past keeper Luis Garcia.
Zaragoza pulled a goal back deep into extra time through midfielder Oscar, but it was not enough to halt the celebrations from the home fans who invaded the pitch on the final whistle.
