The struggle to avoid relegation took several dramatic turns on Wednesday in the 36th round of matches in La Liga.

18th-placed Cadiz claimed a dramatic win away to Sevilla in one of the day's early kick-offs, thanks to Sergi Guardiola's goal in the fifth minute of injury time.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano won 2-1 at home to already-relegated Granada thanks to a 23rd minute effort from Florien Lejeune.

The goal was a huge relief to the home side, who were down to 10 men from the fourth minute after Oscar Trejo was shown a direct red card for a high challenge.

Jorge de Frutos doubled Rayo's lead 10 minutes from time, and although Lucas Boye salvaged some pride for the visitors in the last minute, Rayo held on for a win that keeps them six points clear of Cadiz with a better goal difference.

Cadiz's win piled the pressure on Celta Vigo, who were only two points behind them when they began their late kick-off at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Things got even worse for Celta when Alex Berenguer put Athletic ahead with a curling shot from a corner kick midway through the first half.

The visitors changed goalkeeper Unai Simon for substitute Julen Agirrezabala in the 62nd minute, six minutes before Williot Swedberg leveled after good work from Hugo Alvarez.

Alvarez then scored an individual goal three minutes later to give Celta a win that keeps them five points adrift of Cadiz.

The day's results mean that Mallorca are four points ahead of Cadiz, while Las Palmas are suddenly in danger of relegation.

Finally, Antoine Griezmann returned to form with a hat-trick in Atletico Madrid's 3-0 away win over Getafe, which means Atletico are assured of at least fourth place in the standings.

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