Griezmann hat-trick seals Atletico victory and ECL spot

Antoine Griezmann has scored a hat-trick as Atletico Madrid defeated Getafe 3-0 in Spain's La Liga to secure a Champions League spot next season.

The France international scored twice in the first half on Thursday (AEST) and again in the second to give Atletico their 12th straight appearance in Europe's top club competition.

The victory at Getafe moved Atletico 11 points clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao with two rounds remaining. Athletic's hopes of making it to the Champions League ended with a 2-1 loss at Celta Vigo.

Griezmann hadn't scored since a brace in Atletico's 3-1 win against Girona five matches ago.

"We've been qualifying for the Champions League for many years now, that has to be valued," Griezmann said.

It was Atletico's fourth straight league victory and third straight defeat for Getafe, who stayed in 10th place.

Elsewhere, the three teams fighting against relegation all won.

In addition to Celta's victory against Athletic, Rayo Vallecano beat Granada 2-1 at home and Cadiz won 1-0 at Sevilla.

Celta opened a five-point gap to Cadiz, who remain the first team inside the drop zone. Rayo are one point ahead of Celta, while Cadiz sit four points inside the demotion area.

Rayo got the win over Granada despite playing with 10 men after Oscar Trejo was sent off in just the fifth minute.