SANTANDER SEAL THEIR SAFETY

Posted at 9:53 AM, May 8, 2006

Racing Santander saved themselves from relegation with a week to spare with a 2-1 victory which leaves Osasuna needing to win their last match with Valencia to be certain of a place in next year's Champions League preliminary round.

Savo Milosevic's 55th-minute goal had looked like sealing that berth for the men from Pamplona but Racing snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with late goals from Pablo Alfaro and Antonito Perez.

Three points for Osasuna next week would make them unassailable because - even if Sevilla, who have a game in hand, drew level on points - the Pamplona club would still pip them because they have done the double over the Andalusians in the head-to-head fixtures.

Racing can already start partying, however, with an objective achieved that is much more modest than Osasuna's.

Racing started the match well and after 11 minutes they created their first chance as they won a free-kick 35 yards out.

Felipe Melo stepped forward and tried his luck with his left foot but Ricardo made the save.

Racing threatened again after 22 minutes when Ayoze Diaz took advantage of a deflected ball in the area and sent in a left footed shot - however he misconnected and sent it wide.

Osasuna nearly took the lead after 25 minutes when Ludovic Delporte fed Pierre Webo - the Cameroon international tried a volley but it was saved by Dudu Aouate.

Sergio Matabuena, who scored both goals for Racing in their 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in midweek, had a chance after 38 minutes when he collected a pass from Juanjo but his left-footed shot forced former Manchester United shot-stopper Ricardo into another save.

All the goals were in the second half and the men from Pamplona were the first to strike.

It was a superb goal and the ball was crossed into the area from the left towards David Lopez who drew the defenders and the keeper before squaring to an unmarked Milosevic and the Serbia and Montenegro international found the empty net.

Matabuena tried to launch the Racing rally as he got his head to a cross from Oscar Serrano but he was wide of the mark.

Racing must have feared the worst when Melo's penalty - awarded for a foul by substitute Marcelo Sosa on Matabuena - was saved by Ricardo with 10 minutes to play.

But from the resulting corner, Racing levelled the match with Alfaro's header doing the job.

The hosts then struck the winner with just two minutes to play as Antonito was first to get to a loose ball and scored.

It was a goal worth its weight in gold for Racing but Osasuna must wait to find out if they will hit an even bigger jackpot.