MADRID: There was Zinedine Zidane again, being thrown into the air by his Real Madrid players in another title celebration.

With the Frenchman back in charge, Real are back to collecting major trophies.

Real were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time on Thursday after Karim Benzema scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal which clinched the title with one game to spare.

Benzema’s double included a second-half penalty at the empty Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium as Real moved seven points clear to end Barcelona’s two-year hold on the trophy.

Barca had to prevail against Osasuna at home and hope Real slipped up but their fading challenge ended with a 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou, despite a brilliant Lionel Messi free-kick.

It means Real claim their third La Liga title in 12 years, after a relentless run of form since Spanish football resumed on June 11 following the coronavirus pandemic.

Zinedine Zidane’s side have won 10 games out 10 since the restart. They have conceded four goals in that time and never been behind in a match.

“For me this is one of the best days in my professional career,” said Zidane. “After lockdown and everything, it’s astonishing.”

Asked if it trumps the Champions League titles Real won in his first spell as manager, Zidane said: “This is better than anything. It takes a tremendous effort to win La Liga. After 38 matches, you have more points than anyone else. It’s bloody fantastic.”

The title celebrations were subdued as the triumph came with Real playing at their training centre because the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium remains undergoing renovation work.

Fans have not been allowed into games since the pandemic, and Real had warned supporters not to gather at the teams traditional celebration spots in the Spanish capital. Most of the early celebrations came from fans honking their car horns across the city’s streets.

Captain Sergio Ramos lifted the trophy at the empty Alfredo Di Stfano Stadium as confetti went into the air behind him and his teammates. Players later threw Zidane into the air a few times, then they all posed for photos in front of one of the goals.

Benzema one of Real’s key players this season opened the scoring with a shot from inside the area in the 29th minute and added to the lead by converting a penalty in the 77th.

Benzema’s goal from the penalty spot came after Ramos initial attempt was called back after he just rolled the ball sideways to Benzema to score. The French striker had entered the area too soon and the penalty had to be taken again.

Fifth-placed Villarreal pulled one back with a header by Vicente Iborra in the 83rd.

After three months away, Barcelona had returned sitting top of the table but allowed Real to take charge.

“Things have to change,” said Messi. “Everyone here in the club will be feeling very angry about what has happened this season and that’s normal. The players feel like that too.” Messi added: “We have to be self-critical, starting with the players, but across the whole club.”

Messi’s curling free-kick into the top corner had cancelled out Osasuna’s opener from Jose Arnaiz, once of Barca B.

But Osasuna had a final trick up their sleeve as Roberto Torres finished at the back post to wrap up Barca’s miserable night at the end of a turbulent season.

Real Mallorca’s hopes of survival are over after they lost 2-1 at home to Granada but Alaves guaranteed their safety by winning at Real Betis.

With Espanyol already down, the final relegation spot will be between Celta Vigo, who lost 3-2 to Levante, and Leganes, who beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0.

Leganes are a point behind and play on Sunday at home to Real while Celta visit Espanyol.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid won 2-0 at seventh-placed Getafe, while fourth-placed Sevilla drew 0-0 at sixth-placed Real Sociedad. Valencia moved into eighth place to keep alive its hopes of grabbing a Europa League spot after a 1-0 win against last-placed Espanyol.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2020