Sevilla spoiled Diego Godin's final home appearance for Atletico Madrid as Pablo Sarabia scored in the 70th minute to force a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Sarabia beat Jan Oblak with a tidy side-footed finish from Franco Vazquez's cross to cancel out Koke's heavily deflected opener and keep alive the Andalusian club's slim Champions League hopes.
The result would have been sweeter for Joaquin Caparros' side had the goalscorer buried a good chance for a second and they still require results to go their way on the final day in order to pip Valencia and Getafe to fourth.
Atletico, meanwhile, will console themselves in the knowledge that second place behind LaLiga champions Barcelona is at least secured for the second successive season.
Alvaro Morata looked lively early on and brought a good save from Tomas Vaclik with a determined close-range header.
The striker did have the ball in the net just before the half-hour mark, but Filipe Luis had strayed offside in the build-up.
Fortune turned in Atletico's favour when Koke's tame attempt deflected off Simon Kjaer and wrong-footed goalkeeper Vaclik, before Sevilla lost Maxime Gonalons to an apparent muscle injury.
Thomas Partey gave the visitors a let-off after the interval, finishing wide of the left post following good lead-up play.
The assistant's flag next came to their rescue, Angel Correa having stepped beyond the last defender before rounding Vaclik.
And the visitors eventually made the reprieves count as Sarabia's volley squirmed under Francisco Montero's boot and past Oblak.
The winger was presented with a great chance to complete a quickfire comeback barely four minutes later, but he ballooned his shot over the crossbar to leave Sevilla two points adrift of the top four.
What does it mean? Godin denied victorious send-off
Diego Simeone faces a difficult task to replace a defender who has maintained a consistent level of excellence throughout his nine seasons in Madrid.
Losing 3-0 to Espanyol last time out did not do justice to Godin's legacy and the Rojiblancos were unable to hold on for a fitting clean sheet in front of their own fans.
Though second spot is wrapped up – thanks also to Real Madrid's loss at Real Sociedad – Atletico will still feel an extra sense of duty when they head to Levante on Saturday.
Vazquez central to Sevilla's strong second half
Influential on and off the ball, midfielder Vazquez deserves warm praise for inspiring Sevilla's turnaround.
The Argentine delivered 13 crosses and only one needed to find the target for Sarabia's leveller.
Positioning a problem for Filipe Luis
He ventured needlessly offside in setting up Morata for what would have been an early Atletico lead and left-back Filipe Luis was also at fault for misjudging the flight of Vazquez's cross in the second half.
What's next?
The final round of fixtures see Atletico head to embattled Levante, while Sevilla entertain Athletic Bilbao.
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