Valencia beats Getafe to move to 4th in La Liga

Valencia's Alvaro Negredo, front. (Alberto Saiz/AP)

BARCELONA, Spain — Alvaro Negredo earned and converted a penalty to give Valencia a 1-0 win at home over Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday.

The victory moved Valencia back into fourth place and control of the last Champions League spot from Sevilla, which fell two points back into fifth.

Getafe seemed content on playing for a scoreless draw and limited Valencia’s chances to a Negredo header that goalkeeper Jonathan Lopez pushed off the post in the 55th.

But Juan Rodriguez eventually fouled Negredo in the area, letting the striker convert the 71st-minute spot kick.

Getafe was left four points above the relegation zone.

Later, Barcelona hosts Levante aiming for a win to stay pegged to leader Real Madrid, while third-place Atletico Madrid visits Celta Vigo and Villarreal is at Rayo Vallecano.

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