Wu Lei helps Espanyol seal Europa League qualifier spot

China international Wu Lei scored on Saturday to help Espanyol clinch the final spot in Europa League qualifiers. The qualification, however, might force the La Liga side to cancel its preseason China trip in July.

The 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the last round of La Liga allowed Espanyol to jump from 9th to 7th in the table on 53 points. The club is returning to Europe after more than a decade and Wu will have an even bigger stage to show off his skills following his transfer from Shanghai SIPG to the La Liga side at the end of the Chinese Super League season last year.

Wu scored the second goal at RCDE Stadium, which was also the Chinese top scorer’s third goal for Espanyol in 16 appearances. An excited Wu removed his jersey to celebrate. He was substituted in the 80th minute to thunderous applause from the packed home crowd.

“It has always been my dream to play abroad. After half a year here, I’m getting the chance to play in the Europa League next season, which will be a great experience for me,” Wu said after the match. “I will be able to learn a lot. There will be more matches to play and I’m very glad to have the chance to take on other European clubs.”

Three goals and one assist in 16 matches is not a stellar record for a striker. But for Wu, who has not had proper rest in the past 18 months and had to play with an injured left shoulder, it’s an acceptable performance.

According to Spanish media, Wu will undergo surgery on his left shoulder ligament on Thursday. He will take a six-week break and will miss two friendly matches of the Chinese national team in June.

Espanyol’s last-minute entry into the Europa League also means the club has to adjust its summer schedule, including canceling a commercial match scheduled on July 27 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.

Espanyol’s Europa League first-round qualifiers will be on July 25 and August 1; second-round matches on August 8 and 15 and third-round games on August 22 and 29.

Ti Gong

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's harrowing season came to a fittingly miserable end on Sunday as it slumped to a staggering 12th La Liga defeat, losing 0-2 at home to Real Betis as many fans left the stadium early and those who stayed booed the players off the pitch, Reuters reported.

With Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Thibaut Courtois all sitting on the bench, Betis forward Loren Moron put the visitors in front in the 61st, completing a sweeping counter-attack by slamming the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Former Real forward Jese Rodriguez sealed the victory for Betis, which finished the season 10th in the standings but has earned away victories at the Nou Camp and the Santiago Bernabeu, by tapping into the net unmarked in the 75th.

Real ended the campaign third in the standings on 68 points, its lowest total since the 2001/02 season, while it lost 12 league games for the first time since the 1998/99 campaign.

Real finished eight points behind runner-up Atletico Madrid and is 18 behind champion Barcelona, which was visiting Eibar later.

"We started the season badly and we've finished it badly," said Real defender Marcelo.

"We didn't want the season to be like this at any stage, we wanted to be in finals competing for trophies, it's been a tough season, one of the hardest on a personal level, we tried to sort things out but now we're just looking to next season."

Real's only good opening in another dismal display fell to top scorer Karim Benzema, who struck the post from inside the box in the first half.

Betis dominated the play and would have scored earlier had it not been for some impressive saves from Keylor Navas, who was given a rousing reception from supporters in what was believed to be his last game for the club.

Spanish media reports also say that Bale will not be at the club next season, but the Wales forward, who was left out of the squad for last week's defeat at Sociedad, was given no opportunity for a final run out at the Bernabeu.

Real's record signing and a scorer in two UEFA Champions League final triumphs, Bale was seen grimacing as he sat on the bench when his side was 0-2 down and when the fulltime whistle came he walked straight down the tunnel without acknowledging fans.