BARCELONA, May 16, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Athletic Bilbao sealed Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday in La Liga.

Ernesto Valverde's side missed out on reaching the Europa League final in Bilbao this season after their semi-final defeat by Manchester United, but eased the pain by guaranteeing a top-five finish.

Athletic are fourth and now eight points clear of sixth-place Real Betis, ensuring they will play in Europe's premier competition.

The Basque side last played Champions League football in the 2014-15 season, but failed to get out of the group, and have never won a European trophy.