MADRID (AFP) – Real Madrid was crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time on 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 hopes Madrid slipped up but itsfading 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 has 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.”
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 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.
