Villarreal thrash Atlético 5-1 to clinch third, only second time in club history

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·26. Mai 2026

Villarreal thrash Atlético 5-1 to clinch third, only second time in club history

Villarreal thrashed Atlético Madrid 5-1 to seal a historic third-place finish, only the second time the club have ended the season in that position.

Both sides entered the final day level on 69 points, and Atlético’s 2-0 win in the reverse fixture meant Villarreal had to win to take third. El Periódico Mediterráneo highlights the scale of the achievement for the club.

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Marcelino García Toral’s team delivered in style, rounding off a campaign that has brought, for the first time in their history, back-to-back Champions League qualifications.

Previously, Villarreal had finished third only once, in 2004/05 under Manuel Pellegrini, a season that secured their first Champions League berth.

Marcelino has now matched that feat, which ranks as a joint second-best league finish in the club’s history.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo