体坛英语新闻：Valencia move into third in Spain

MADRID, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Valencia moved into third place in the Liga Santander thanks to a 3-1 win at home to Alaves on Saturday.

Rodrigo Moreno celebrated his call up into the Spain squad on Friday with the first goal of the game after 19 minutes, before Simone Zaza also got onto the scoresheet 14 minutes later.

Ruben Soriano gave Alaves hope of a fightback early in the second half, but an own goal from Victor Laguardia after 54 minutes made the result safe for Valencia, who moved above Real Madrid who will play on Sunday.

Betis gave their chances of qualifying for Europe a major boost with a 3-0 win through Junior Firpo, Ryad Boudebouz and Francis with goals in the 36th, 56th, and 69th minutes of the game.

Getafe also retain their European options with a 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad. The home side took the lead in the 23rd minute through Willian Jose's 13th game of the campaign, but Djene's header on the stroke of halftime leveled the score and Angel Rodriguez's wonderful 25 yard strike six minutes after the break gave Getafe only their second away win of the campaign.

Saturday kicked off with a 1-1 draw between Deportivo la Coruna and Las Palmas which leaves both sides facing the prospect of relegation 7 and 6 points respectively behind Levante, who on Friday night defeated Eibar to 2-1 to take a huge stride towards top-flight salvation.