REAL MADRID SECURED a 35th La Liga title on Saturday with a 4-0 home win over Espanyol as Carlo Ancelotti became the first coach to win all five major European leagues.
Needing just one point from their last five games, Madrid struck twice through Rodrygo in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu before goals from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema.
Madrid moved 17 points clear of second-placed Sevilla with four matches to play. Barcelona have a game in hand but are 18 points adrift.
“It’s the first time I’ve won a title at the Bernabeu, the atmosphere is really something special,” Ancelotti told Movistar Plus.
“If I was crying (at the final whistle), it’s because I’m happy.”
Given they have been top since November, it was no surprise that Madrid won a league they have dominated for months, but dips in form from Barcelona and Sevilla offered the chance for an early coronation.
With La Liga wrapped up, Madrid can turn their full attention to the second leg of their semi-final at home to Manchester City on Wednesday, when they will need to overturn a 4-3 loss from the opening game to advance to another European final.
“Winning La Liga is special,” midfielder Luka Modric told Real Madrid TV, as he paid tribute to the fans who were unable to watch the club win the title in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We played a great match, the atmosphere was incredible and we hope to repeat that Wednesday.”
It is the earliest Madrid have clinched the trophy since they won it with four games to spare in 1989-90.
“It’s the first time we’ve won it with as many games to go, that means a lot. We’ve had an incredible season and now we want to celebrate that a bit,” said Modric.
Ancelotti rested Benzema and Vinicius Junior from the start for the visit of Espanyol, and Rodrygo seized his chance with two goals late in the first half.
He combined with fellow Brazilian Marcelo to put Madrid ahead on 33 minutes as he steered into the far corner for only his second league goal this campaign.
Mariano Diaz, handed a rare start in attack, then won the ball deep in Espanyol territory and Rodrygo rolled in a second with a clinical finish past goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
Eduardo Camavinga played in Asensio to slam in a third for Madrid on the counter on 55 minutes, with Modric then making way for Toni Kroos and Benzema replacing Casemiro on the hour.
Benzema notched his 42nd goal in as many games this season across all competitions to seal a runaway triumph for Madrid on a historic day for Ancelotti.
The Italian, who returned last June for a second spell with Madrid, won the Premier League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan, Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
Updated at 7.04pm to include Carlo Ancelotti reaction.
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Fantastic excitement in televised darts. MVG is a beast.
Was really hoping for a come back, almost looked promising at one stage but sure look. Great to watch regardless
one of the most over rated sports ever, only reason people watch it is for a piss up
A game not a sport
I watched it sober Stilphil Brady.
do yout mean all people watching at home are having a piss up?
Darts is always a great way to finish off the Christmas break. Great darts this year. Hats off to Van Gerwen he’s a special player.
Jesus that was sick . Anderson could have went 3-1 up then bang he’s gone. Mvg is on fire , some darts
Even Taylor in his prime wouldn’t be able to live with this, well deserved title considering the year he had and would’ve been a travesty if he didn’t win it. Great effort by Gary Anderson also he is the only one that can worry MVG and he could still win another one or two.
I love Anderson but MVG really deserved it, unbeatable at the minute
Barney deserves a serious mention too, was truly heartbroken after the semi but the best man won in the end.
murt barney was feeling sorry for himself bit of a whinger in fairness (wonderful player)
Serious athletes
I assume you mean that as a joke? Haha
Your a top athlete yourself Gearoid,
The man is a machine
Bit like yourself ger
How athletic are you David? F*****g keyboard warrior!
I wouldn’t be an Olympian, but I can run a bit and lift a bit. You know, a reasonable level of fitness for an average thirty something male? Keeps the waist under the 34″
Plenty of ppl can lift doesn’t mean there athletes Dave.
Never claimed I was an athlete, I just insinuated that Darts players are not athletes. Darts is not a sport. It’s a game, albeit an entertaining one.
is it a shirt you lift David
Looking forward to Gerry Adams inevitably winning the junior B darts now on bbc…
Good old Wolfie
haha Gerry Adams,not on the BBC anymore im afraid.i think BT have it this year.
channel 4 for live afternoon coverage Glenn.
The lad that ran on stage and robbed the trophy was the highlight for me
He showed more athleticism than the two lads
He will have a sore jaw and ribs by the time those bouncers turfed him out the door
And rightly so. Tosser. Great match though.
Incredible that these lads get 350k for throwing a few sticks at a board. Anderson got a spanking in the game – but even so was laughing and joking away in a final, would never see a footballer happy with finishing 2nd on the World Cup/Euros. Not a sport, they are slobs.
And you’re an egg… You cracked wh**e like to see you be that accurate… Now off on the fitness regime your wife has you on and cycle to your rubbish job like the rest of us… They are no doubt laughing at you!
@An Ubh: Anderson laughing as hes good spirited and he knew he lost to the better player on the night would you prefer to see him bitter and resentful like yourself?. Throwing sticks is stupid description. If so isnt Soccer kicking a ball into a net, isnt formula one driving around in a ring isnt brain surgery just having a root around up there to remove the bad bits??. Can describe anything at all in a flippant way.
Great comment above me there, the egg is clearly a jealous imbecile
With finishing like mvg had he must have Tipperary blood , lethal finisher
Thanks Dave
Van Gerwan, is on PED’s. Look at the physique on him.
@Derek o keeffe: Agreed, think they made his hair fallout and do something to his voice too. Wonder if the Russian hackers will raid WADA files on himself & Taylor!!