Atletico Madrid clinched a pivotal 3-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga action, marking a significant step in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, Girona triumphed 2-0 over Las Palmas, virtually ensuring their debut in the prestigious competition next season, thanks in part to Athletic's loss.

Diego Simeone's Atletico, currently holding the fourth spot, widened the gap to six points ahead of Athletic Bilbao, securing a crucial advantage with just five matches remaining.

Following a disappointing European exit and a dismal defeat against Alaves last week, Atletico surged back into form with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Angel Correa, along with an unfortunate own goal from Unai Simon.

Nico Williams briefly equalised De Paul's opener for Athletic, minutes after allegedly facing racial abuse while taking a corner.

The defeat deals a blow to Athletic, the Copa del Rey winners, dimming their hopes of returning to the Champions League after a decade-long absence.

"We were really eager for this match, aiming for three points, but it didn't go our way," Nico Williams lamented.

He also shed light on the ugly incident of racial abuse he endured during the game, emphasising the need for change.

Atletico fans paid tribute to retiring Raul Garcia, a former member of their championship-winning squad in 2014, who now plays for Athletic.

In a thrilling encounter, Atletico edged ahead with De Paul's strike before Nico Williams responded with a goal, displaying resilience in the face of adversity.

Correa then put Atletico back in the lead with a composed finish, followed by Samuel Lino's clinching goal, securing the victory for the hosts.

Looking ahead, Atletico coach Simeone remains focused on the upcoming challenges, emphasising the importance of maintaining their performance until the end of the season.

In a separate fixture, Girona's David Lopez and Artem Dovbyk propelled their team to a crucial victory, positioning them provisionally in second place above Barcelona.

Girona's historic journey in the top flight could culminate in Champions League qualification, a feat that would be monumental for the club and Spanish football as a whole.

As the season unfolds, the race for Champions League spots intensifies, promising more thrilling encounters and historic moments in La Liga.