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Sevilla fifth in Spain after Fazio double

  • Story Highlights
  • Argentine Fazio scored twice as Sevilla won 3-0 at Racing Santander
  • Victory boosts Sevilla's bid for Champions League action next season
  • Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid are away to Espanyol on Thursday
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MADRID, Spain -- Argentine Federico Fazio struck twice as Sevilla improved their hopes of a second straight season of Champions League football with a 3-0 win at rivals Racing Santander on Wednesday.

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Fazio, second right, celebrates as Sevilla boost their chances of Champions League action next season.

Midfielder Fazio opened the scoring with a header on 29 minutes and added another after 65 as Sevilla swept into fifth spot -- level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Racing, who have never played in Europe's flagship competition, are two points behind Sevilla following a first half penalty miss from Aldo Duscher with the score at 0-0.

Atletico remain in pole position to take fourth but can not afford to slip up when they travel to Espanyol on Thursday.

Racing were awarded a penalty on the quarter hour mark after an Ivica Dragutinovic handball but Duscher smashed the spot-kick against the crossbar.

Sevilla made the hosts pay with Renato's deflected shot in the final minute wrapping up the points.

Elsewhere Kings Cup winners Valencia are virtually safe after a 1-0 home win over fellow strugglers Real Zaragoza.

A goal from Daniel Silva, who was also sent off, guided Valencia five points from the drop after a torrid league campaign.

Veteran Roberto Ayala returned to Valencia, where he spent sevens winning league titles in 2002 and 2004, but it was no happy homecoming for the Argentine and his Zaragoza side stay two points above relegation.

Osasuna lost 2-1 at Real Mallorca and stay third from bottom while Recreativo Huelva stay level on 40 points after a 2-0 defeat by Villarreal.

An 18th goal of the season from Turk Nihat ensured second-placed Villarreal put more pressure on Barcelona ahead of their titanic clash with Real as they now trail Villarreal by seven points.

Getafe came from two goals down to win 4-2 over Almeria and are now five points clear of the drop.

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