Ayoze Perez celebrates scoring Real Betis' second goal in the 3-1 home victory over Rayo Vallecano. -EPA
Real Betis have defeated Rayo Vallecano 3-1 in the Spanish league to keep alive their hopes of making it to the Champions League next season.
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Monday night's La Liga victory moved Manuel Pellegrini's team within seven points of fourth-placed Real Sociedad in the final Champions League place. Betis are sitting sixth, two points off fifth-placed Villarreal.
Betis last played Champions League football in the 2005/06 season when they were knocked out in the group stage.
The hosts opened a 2-0 lead with goals by Youssouf Sabaly in the fifth minute and Ayoze Perez in the 44th. Santiago Comesana pulled the visitors closer in the 52nd but Boja Iglesias sealed the victory deep into added time.
Rayo hit the woodwork three times at Benito Villamarin Stadium.
It was the second victory in a row for Betis after a run of three winless matches. Their next game is at 10th-placed Sevilla in the Seville derby.
Rayo, who dropped to 11th, have lost four of their last seven games.
Barcelona clinched their 27th league title with a 4-2 win at Espanyol on Sunday.
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