Real Madrid ended their four-year trophy drought when they won
the league title for the 30th time after a dramatic 3-1 comeback
victory over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Substitute Jose Reyes Antonio was Real's hero, equalising a
minute after coming on in the second half and putting the icing on
the cake with a spectacular third seven minutes from time.
The nine-times European champions topped the final standings by
virtue of a better head-to-head record against arch-rivals
Barcelona, whose 5-1 victory at already relegated Gimnastic
Tarragona was to no avail.
For over an hour the title looked to have slipped from Real's
grasp as they trailed to a 17th-minute strike from Mallorca's
Fernando Varela, while Barca overpowered Gimnastic.
But Real produced their customary late show, including a headed
goal by Mahamadou Diarra, to storm back to victory and snatch the
title from Barcelona's grasp.
"This team has recovered its spirit, this was a fantastic
victory," Real coach Fabio Capello told reporters.
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.
Mallorca gave Real an almighty scare with barely a minute on the
clock when striker Juan Arango hit the base of the post with a low
shot after stealing a march on defender Sergio Ramos.
SHAKY START
Real paid the price for their shaky start soon after when Varela
put Mallorca in front with a low shot past Iker Casillas after
Arango slid a perfect pass behind the static back four.
The Mallorca goal meant Barca were top of the table and the
Catalans consolidated their advantage when they went a goal up
after Carles Puyol slid the ball home at the near post after Lionel
Messi had squared a neat pass into his path.
Real suffered another setback when leading scorer Ruud van
Nistelrooy was forced off in the 32nd minute after appearing to
pull a hamstring as he ran towards goal.
Barcelona, meanwhile, went 3-0 up by the break with goals from
Messi and Ronaldinho.
Real struggled to respond at the Bernabeu and the restless crowd
called on Fabio Capello to introduce playmaker Guti to give the
side more control in midfield.
Capello did just that at the start of the second half but his
side continued to live dangerously with a succession of last-ditch
tackles stopping Mallorca adding to their lead.
The game was turned on its head shortly after Reyes replaced
Beckham, who limped off midway through the second half.
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 area.
The Bernabeu burst into life after Reyes's goal and Real were
back on top of the table 12 minutes later when Diarra, called back
from international duty with Mali, sent a header bouncing off
Mallorca's Angelos Basinas and across the line.
Reyes made sure of victory four minutes later with a great
strike from the edge of the area to spark wild celebrations at the
Bernabeu as Madrid finished on 76 points from 38 matches to snatch
the Primera Liga title from Barcelona.
(China Daily via Reuters?June 18, 2007)
