Sevilla snaps skid with win over 10-man Racing

Santander, Spain – Jesus Navas scored in the first half and man Racing, 3-0, game winless skid in La Liga.

Sevilla had lost its last two matches against Barcelona and Sporting Gijon and failed to score a goal in either fixture.

Navas ended the drought after the half-hour mark in the first half, Manu added to the lead early in the second half and then completed his double with a goal in stoppage time.

Papakouli Diop was sent off midway through the second half when Racing trailed by two goals, and the home side lost its fourth to remain stuck in the drop zone in 18th place.

Sevilla is only 11th on 36 points, but still in the hunt for a European place. Racing is four points from safety.

Real Betis 1, Espanyol 1

Seville, Spain - Walter Pandiani scored deep into stoppage time as Espanyol escaped the Benito Villamarin with a 1-1 draw against Real Betis on Thursday in La Liga.

Ruben Castro fired Betis into the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in normal time, but Pandiani scored in the 93rd to help Espanyol extend its run without a loss to three and remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Espanyol is just four points behind fourth-place Levante in sixth, which will still be good enough for Europa League play next season.

Betis snapped a three-game losing streak, but is still winless in five as it remained just seven points above the drop in 15th place. Betis is also just nine points behind Espanyol for a European berth.

Malaga 4, Rayo Vallecano 2

Malaga, Spain - Rondon scored on each side of halftime to lift Malaga to a 4-2 win over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday at the La Rosaleda in La Liga.

Diego da Silva Costa gave Vallecano the lead in the fifth minute off a penalty kick but Rondon scored 10 minutes before half and 9 minutes after the break as Malaga took control at home.

Enzo Maresca added a third goal for Malaga in the 70th and, after Roberto Trashorras converted a second penalty for Vallecano in the 84th, Duda sealed the win with Malaga's fourth goal in the 86th.

Malaga won for the fourth time in its last five and is level with Levante for the league's last Champions League spot. Vallecano has lost three of its last five and is 10th.