Atletico Madrid Crowned 2020/2021 La Liga Champions After dramatic final day of the season
Atletico Madrid were crowned champions of Spain after a dramatic and tense final day of La Liga’s season.
Atletico Madrid went into the final day of the season just two points ahead of their local rivals Real, having previously been 10 points clear earlier in the season, thanks to Luis Suarez’s late winner last week.
Diego Simeone’s side faced Real Valladolid on Saturday night, with the hosts also needing to win just to stay in the league, whilst Zinedine Zidane’s side hosted Villarreal who had Wednesday’s Europa League final in their sights.
After a quiet opening in both games, Oscar Plano’s goal in the 18th minute gave Real hope that they could retain the title.
However, just two minutes later, things in Madrid swung things back in the favour of Atleti as Yeremi Pino put Villarreal ahead.
Just before the hour mark it looked like Real were suddenly looking at retaining their title, but the pendulum swung back towards Atleti in the space of a dramatic minute.
Karim Benzema, fresh from his recall to the France squad for Euro 2020, for the first time in nearly five years, looked to have put Los Blancos ahead.
The Frenchman headed Casemiro’s cross home but whilst the players celebrated, and VAR checked everything was fine, things changed dramatically.
Yannick Carrasco’s pass allowed Angel Correa to make it 1-1 at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium, whilst the video officials checking the game in Madrid realised Benzema was actually offside.
It took Simeone’s side three points clear of their rivals though, due to head-to-head records, Real knew two goals in the final 30 minutes would still make them champions.
However two goals soon became three as a Valladolid mistake in defence allowed Luis Suarez to nip in and run at the goalkeeper unstopped by any defenders. The former Barcelona forward made no mistake to make it 2-1.
The 2014 Spanish champions were now five points clear of their rivals but Simeone’s side knew that with just over 20 minutes to go they couldn’t take things easy.
Benzema made it 1-1 in the 87th minute, with a brilliant finish, to keep the club’s hopes alive of a 35th league title but they still needed a goal for Valladolid.
