Real Madrid clinches 34th La Liga title

Benzema’s double included a 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 its fading challenge ended with a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick.

It means Madrid claims its third La Liga title in 12 years, after a relentless run of form since Spanish football resumed on June 11 following the coronavirus pandemic. Zinedine Zidane’s side has won 10 games out 10 since the restart. It has conceded four 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.” 

Asked if it trumps the Champions League titles Madrid won in his first spell as manager, Zidane said: “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 has 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 was allowed to retake and this time Benzema 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 was also in first place when it sacked Ernesto Valverde in January and while the club’s problems go deeper than its 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.”

Result: Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 29, 77pen) bt Villarreal 1 (Iborra 83)