Relegation battle: Sporting Gijon goes down as Leganes, Deportivo survive

Real Sporting de Gijon's prayers went unanswered.

On Saturday, the relegation battle in La Liga came to a close, as Real Sporting defeated SD Eibar 1-0 but ultimately became the third and final casualty in the top flight of Spanish football. Los Rojiblancos were relying on other results to live another day, but CD Leganes and Deportivo La Coruna played out draws at Athletic Club and Villarreal, respectively, confirming the Asturian club's fate.

Last season, Real Sporting barely avoided relegation, defeating Villarreal on the final matchday of the season to finish 17th in La Liga and one point ahead of Rayo Vallecano, who went down. This time around, there would be no last-minute escape. Abelardo Fernandez, who is from Gijon, brought an end to his revolution with Los Rojiblancos in January, saying the club no longer reflected him.

Real Sporting will play in the Segunda Division for the first time since 2014-15, when promotion was achieved.