Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time this Thursday after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal which clinched the title with one game to spare.
Benzema’s double included a controversial second-half penalty at the empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium as Madrid moved seven points clear to end Barcelona’s two-year hold on the trophy.
Barca had to prevail against Osasuna at home and hope Madrid slipped up but their fading challenge ended with a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick.
It means Madrid claim their third La Liga title in eight years, after a relentless run of form since Spanish football resumed on June 11 following the coronavirus pandemic. Zinedine Zidane’s side have won 10 games out 10 since the restart. They have conceded three goals in that time and never been behind in a match.
“For me this is one of the best days in my professional career,” said Zidane. “After lockdown and everything, it’s astonishing.This is better than anything. It takes a tremendous effort to win La Liga. After 38 matches, you have more points than anyone else. It’s bloody fantastic.”
Madrid have also been awarded five penalties during the run-in, some of them controversially, and this one caused a stir too as Sergio Ramos tried to roll the ball to Benzema, who finished but had entered the area too early.
Much to Villarreal’s irritation, Madrid were allowed to retake and this time Benzema, chasing Messi for the scoring title, made no mistake, before Vicente Iborra headed in what proved a late consolation.
“It’s a prize for all the work we’ve done, this is the reward,” said Ramos. “We have one more match and we want to win 11 out of 11.”
After three months away, Barcelona had returned sitting top of the table but draws with Sevilla, struggling Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid allowed Madrid to take charge.
Barca were also in first place when they sacked Ernesto Valverde in January and while the club’s problems go deeper than their coach, Quique Setien’s position will come under scrutiny.
“Things have to change,” said Messi. “Everyone here in the club will be feeling very angry about what has happened this season and that’s normal. The players feel like that too.”Messi added: “We have to be self-critical, starting with the players, but across the whole club.”
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said this week that Setien will remain in charge for next month’s Champions League tie against Napoli but the coach’s decision to leave Luis Suarez out of the starting line-up for a second consecutive game will raise questions.
(AFP)
