Atletico Madrid Crowned La Liga Champions After Last Day Drama
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Atletico Madrid were crowned champions of Spain after a dramatic and tense final day of La Liga's season.
YOUR 2020/21 LALIGA CHAMPIONS!!! :red_circle::white_circle:#CampeonesPartidoAPartido pic.twitter.com/MLFWK8X7am
- Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 22, 2021
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.
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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.
ANGEL CORREA SCORES FOR ATLETI! :scream:
- Premier Sports :tv: (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021
Atletico Madrid equalise and take another big step towards the LaLiga title :red_circle::white_circle: pic.twitter.com/a0qrO6HZO1
Karim Benzema has the ball in the back of the net...but it's ruled out for offside after a VAR review! :grimacing:
- Premier Sports :tv: (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021
Real Madrid need to score soon :white_circle: pic.twitter.com/PPOkug9EM1
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.
Luis Suarez scores the goal that could seal title glory for Atletico Madrid :red_circle::white_circle::trophy:
- Premier Sports :tv: (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021
Who else could it possibly have been? A potential LaLiga decider :fire::fire: pic.twitter.com/qeLWGi49Vd
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.
If things weren't dramatic enough, Luka Modric then struck in injury time to mean that any goal for Valladolid would send the title to Real.
However the final whistle soon went for Atleti and they were champions once again!
Featured Image Credit: PA/Premier Sports
Topics: Atletico Madrid, Luis Suarez, Real Valladolid, Villarreal, Real Madrid, La Liga