GettyJude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric celebrate
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 18:24
Real Madrid became national champions of Spain for the 36th time on Saturday evening. The Madrilenians won 3-0 once morest Cádiz earlier in the day and losing a point to FC Barcelona was enough to officially become champions. That happened: Barcelona lost 4-2 to Girona. Coach Xavi’s team still led 1-2 at halftime.
The gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona is now fourteen points with four matches to play, so ‘De Koninklijke’ can no longer be traced.
Real Madrid is therefore national champion for the third time in the last six years. It takes over the crown from Barcelona, which celebrated the title last year.
Watch the party in Madrid below:
Madrilenians celebrate Real’s 36th national title en masse on the street
Just like last week, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti allowed himself to rest a number of star players with a view to the Champions League. The return in the semi-final once morest Bayern Munich awaits next Wednesday. The first leg was drawn 2-2.
Modric and Bellingham in form
The stars who did play made themselves felt. Luka Modric was at the heart of the 1-0 with an assist to Brahim Diaz, although it must be said that he sent the ball phenomenally into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Later it was Jude Bellingham, the England international who was signed for more than a hundred million euros last summer, who doubled the score. He came on as a substitute and was able to convert a low cross into a goal within two minutes of coming on.
The final piece belonged to striker Joselu, who made it 3-0 just before the end.
NOSDe stand in La Liga
The Catalan derby between Girona and Barcelona got off to a fiery start. Within four minutes it was 1-1 following goals from Andreas Christensen and La Liga top scorer Artem Dovbyk, who scored his twentieth of the season.
A striking penalty from Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona a 1-2 lead, seemingly delaying a Real Madrid championship. Daley Blind’s Girona put a stop to that.
In the second half, Girona completely turned it around in the space of nine minutes. From the 65th to the 74th minute they scored three times, partly thanks to a shooting defense from Barcelona.
Dark day
Thus, a sunny Saturday in Catalonia ended extraordinarily darkly for Barcelona. Not only did it make arch-rival Real Madrid champions by losing, but it also lost second place in the rankings. This is taken over by Girona, which now has one point more than its neighbor.
