MADRID: Real Sociedad took a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League next season as they came from behind to beat Valencia 4-2 at Anoeta.

Roberto Soldado had headed the visitors into an early lead but Inigo Martinez levelled with a sweet volleyed finish 11 minutes before the break.

Chori Castro then finished off a wonderful counter-attack to give Sociedad the lead on 73 minutes and Imanol Agirretxe looked to have sealed the points four minutes from time.

Jonas momentarily put the outcome back in doubt as he halved the deficit moments later but Agirretxe rounded off the scoring with a beautiful chip over Diego Alves in the last action of the game.

The win moves Sociedad five points clear of both Valencia and Malaga in fourth place with just five games remaining.

With so much to play for both sides went for it from the off as Carlos Vela curled a shot inches wide of the far post from the edge of the area after 90 seconds before Claudio Bravo had to be alive to turn Jeremy Mathieu's free-kick behind.

Ever Banega and Dani Parejo also saw effort fly just off target for Valencia early on, but they did go in front with a wonderfully worked goal on 25 minutes as Soldado showed great movement to get on the end of Aly Cissokho's cross and flicked his header inside the far post.

Soldado was up in arms moments later though as referee David Fernandez Borbalan failed to see a clear handball by Bravo outside his area which took the sting out of Soldado's attempted lob and allowed Mikel Gonzalez to clear.

And having been given a lifeline Sociedad were soon level as a well-worked corner on the left created space for Castro to cross and he picked out Martinez at the back post who volleyed home in style.

The start of the second-half was subdued by comparison as Valencia controlled possession without creating a clear-cut opportunity and they were also given a huge let off when Borbales failed to see a clear handball by Cissokho inside his own area which would have resulted in a penalty and a second yellow card for the Frenchman.

The visitors were undone though 17 minutes from time by a stunning counter-attack from the hosts saw them break from a Valencia corner with Castro and Agirretxe exchanging passes on two occasions before the former slotted neatly past Diego Alves.

The Brazilian keeper then kept his side in it with fine saves from Vela and Agirretxe. However, he was beaten again four minutes from the end as Agirretxe turned home Xabi Prieto's cross.

Jonas pulled one back with a header from close range as the game entered stoppage time after Bravo could only parry Pablo Piatti's effort.

But the home fans' nerves were eased in moments later as Agirretxe produced another stunning finish to move Philippe Montanier's men to within touching distance of a first Champions League campaign in 10 years.