Soldado leads Valencia to victory, Almeria relegated

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) - A double from Roberto Soldado helped Valencia to a 3-0 home win over Real Sociedad on Saturday which strengthened their hold on third place in La Liga and automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

Unai Emery's side climbed to 66 points with three matches left to play, six ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal who visit Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Striker Soldado slotted home from close range after a low cross from Juan Mata in the 16th minute and, after Jonas had doubled the lead in the 25th, he powered in a header for his 16th goal of the campaign shortly before the break.
At the foot of the standings, a 2-0 defeat for bottom club Almeria at Getafe condemned them to relegation, while 19th-placed Hercules were closer to joining them after a 3-2 defeat at home to Racing Santander.
Leaders Barcelona, with 88 points, can wrap up their third consecutive La Liga title at home to Espanyol on Sunday if second-placed Real Madrid (80) fail to win at Sevilla in Saturday's late game.
Athletic Bilbao survived a late comeback from Levante to secure a 3-2 home win that kept them on course for the Europa League places in fifth with 54 points.
Gaizka Toquero, David Lopez from the penalty spot, and Fernando Llorente put the Basque side 3-0 up early in the second half, before the visitors netted twice in the last 13 minutes.
Almeria's fate was out of their own hands when they kicked off against Getafe and goals early in each half from Adrian Colunga and Pedro Rios sealed their relegation.
Almeria were 13 points from safety with 26 points, and a double from Racing's Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos left Hercules 19th with 33 while pushing the Cantabrians to relative safety in 11th with 43.
Osasuna occupy the third relegation slot with 38 points and visit 15th-placed Real Zaragoza, who have 39, on Sunday.
Deportivo Coruna remain mired in the relegation struggle after a last-minute penalty from Sporting Gijon's David Barral levelled the scores at 2-2 to leave them 16th with 39 points.
Malaga, in 17th place also with 39 points, were playing at Atletico Madrid later on Saturday.