Rivaldo does the 'trick' for Barcelona

Kevin Fylan

Rivaldo completed a hat-trick with a stunning overhead kick after 89 minutes of Barcelona's final league game against Valencia to earn the Catalans a 3-2 win and a place in the Champions League next season.

Rivaldo struck twice in the first half with two arrowed left-foot drives only for Ruben Baraja to head his side level each time.

Barca, needing to win to overtake Valencia in fourth place and bag the final Champions League slot, appeared set to be playing UEFA Cup football as the seconds ticked away.

But in a dramatic finale, Rivaldo took a chip forward from Frank de Boer on his chest and powered in an overhead of exquisite quality to salvage Barcelona's season.

Valencia, Champions League runners-up for the last two seasons, had to settle for a place in the UEFA Cup.

"I took the ball from Frank de Boer, controlled it with my chest and I think it was a nice goal," said Rivaldo.

"Valencia are a great side who fight all the way. They equalised twice but after my third there was no time for them.

"It was a good game for the fans and I'm sure they'll have enjoyed it."

REAL WIN

Real Madrid, already crowned champions, rounded off their season with a 2-1 win at home to Valladolid, Raul netting both goals to take his tally for the season to 24 and clinch the "pichichi" award for top marksman.

The result gave Real 80 points from 38 games and provided a fitting send-off for Manuel Sanchis, the 36-year-old midfielder who played his last game for Real on Sunday at the end of an 18-year career at the club.

Deportivo clinched second spot, and direct entry into the Champions League, with a 4-0 stroll at home to Malaga that gave them 73 points.

Mallorca finished third on 71 thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Real Oviedo that consigned their opponents to relegation.

That result, coupled with a 1-0 win for Osasuna at Real Sociedad, saw Oviedo slip to 18th in the table and sent them down along with Numancia and Racing Santander.

Radomir Antic's side needed just a point to be certain of keeping their place in the first division but their task was complicated by the sending-off of Frank Rabarivony nine minutes before halftime.

TAKING ADVANTAGE

Mallorca took advantage to go 2-0 and then 3-1 up. Ivan Ania gave Oviedo renewed hope with a goal after 77 minutes but Novo struck for Mallorca two minutes from time to seal their fate.

Osasuna went into the final day of the season in the third relegation spot, two points behind Oviedo, but a goal from Ivan Rosado five minutes before halftime against Real Sociedad proved their salvation.

Valencia finished the season in fifth on 63 points and will play the UEFA Cup along with Celta Vigo, who were sixth, four points further back.