Madrid End Five-year Wait

This was a Liga campaign in which Real Madrid’s ambitions and coach Zinedine Zidane’s squad rotation proved decisive

- Sid Lowe

In the end, there was no drama, no twist and no doubt. A season that for much of the year had been defined by late goals was eventually decided by a very early one.

In the end it came down to the last day, but just one minute and 37 seconds had gone when Isco’s pass found Cristiano Ronaldo running through. He went past Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni and rolled in the goal that set Real Madrid on their way to a first league title in five years.

Madrid had known that a draw would be enough and now they were leading. Soon the surprise news came through that Barcelona were losing 1-0 at home to Eibar. Then it was 2-0. Eventually, they came back to win 4-2, but with Madrid winning, with Karim Benzema adding another goal in the second half, it didn’t matter anyway – something that was summed up by Barca substitute Denis Suarez.

Sitting on the bench with an earphone in listening to the radio, Suarez pulled the wire out when the second goal was scored. It was over, any hint of hope extinguished.

In Madrid, supporters were already making their way to the fountain of Cibeles to celebrate. Meanwhile, down in Malaga, visiting fans sang their way to the finish, knowing that this was done now. By the touchline, subs prepared to run on, with Pepe recording it all.

Right from the beginning of the season, Madrid had targeted the title. Everyone had said it: the league is the priority. Which might sound standard, but it is actually a little unusual at a club whose identity has been built through the European Cup more than domestic dominance, even if this was their 33rd title.

More pressingly, they had won just one league title in five years; this was their second in nine. That is far too long for Madrid, a reflection of the inescapable and awkward fact that they have not been the best team in Spain over the last decade.