June 19: Real Madrid won the record 30th Spanish League title on Sunday after crushing Real Mallorca 3-1 at the Bernabeu. It also marked the end of their four year trophy drought.
David Beckham’s substitution in the form of Jose Reyes Antonio turned to be the Real’s great advantage. He came up with an equalizer just a minute after joining in the second half and finally sealing the victory for Real with a spectacular third just seven minutes from the final whistle.
Midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who received special permission from FIFA headed in the winning goal in the 80 th minute.
Things did not looked good for Real as they were finding it hard to equalize the Varela’s 17 th minute strike. The former Arsenal player equalised a minute later when he fired in from close range after some dazzling footwork by Robinho and Gonzalo Higuain on the right side of the field. Real produced their customary late show, including a header converted into goal by Mahamadou Diarra, to storm back to victory and snatch the title from Barcelona’s grasp.
The nine-time European champions topped the final standings by virtue of a better head-to-head record against arch-rivals Barcelona, whose 5-1 victory over Gimnastic Tarragona proved inconsequential.
The match marked the final appearances of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos, who signed off with a championship medal in front of 76,000 adoring fans at the Bernabeu. “I couldn’t have asked for a better fare well,” Beckham said.
Beckham, who will now join Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, showed his trademark free kicks still had their bite with the England midfielder coming close to scoring on a number of chances.
Real topped the final standings level on 76 points with Barcelona and five ahead of UEFA Cup winners Sevilla who lost 1-0 at home to Villarreal.
“This was a strong team with a lot of heart,'' said league scoring leader Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was replaced in the 33rd because of a left leg injury. ``We won this league with our play over the last 10 games. It was difficult with all the pressure but now ... we are champions and this is the most memorable year of my career.''
Barcelona could only watch from the Nou Estadi stadium as Madrid ended its hopes of a third straight league title.
“This championship is not so much a difficult one, it was almost miraculous one because we came from so far behind Barcelona to win,'' Capello said. ``We suffered and fought to recover the spirit of this team. Tonight, we saw this.''
“We were inconsistent all season ... and we're all aware that it's the players who are responsible,'' Barcelona captain Carles Puyol said. ``I've always said that who wins this league deserves it.''
Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up Puyol for another. Ronaldinho curled in a free kick for his 21st goal of the season before Gianluca Zambrotta scored in injury time as Barcelona finished without a trophy for the first time in three seasons.
Madrid ended its longest major trophy drought in 53 years with wild celebrations and a lap of honor before throwing coach Fabio Capello into the air as the Italian won his second title as coach of Madrid after 1997.
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