Leganés ends Real Madrid’s perfect run but can’t avoid relegation

Real Madrid ended its Spanish league title-winning marketing campaign with a 2-2 draw that relegated Leganés after 4 straight seasons within the first division.

The end result additionally ended Madrid’s 10-game successful streak following the pandemic break. Zinedine Zidane’s staff had sealed its report 34th league title — and first in three years — on Thursday.

“We didn’t play at our best, but we can’t forget what we have already achieved,” Zidane mentioned. “We have to be happy.”

Madrid ended 5 factors forward of second-place Barcelona — 87 to 82. Barcelona closed out its marketing campaign with a 5-Zero rout of Alavés. Lionel Messi scored twice to complete with 25 objectives and develop into the primary participant to clinch the league’s prime scoring title in seven totally different seasons.

Leganés, led by Mexican coach Javier Aguirre, had entered the match one level behind Celta Vigo, the primary staff exterior the relegation zone. Celta, winless within the closing seven rounds, survived regardless of being held 0-Zero by last-place Espanyol. It will play within the prime flight for a ninth straight 12 months subsequent season.

Espanyol and second-to-last-place Mallorca had already been relegated.

“This is what happens when it gets right to the end. We reached the last round having to play against a great team, against the champions,” Leganés captain Unai Bustinza mentioned, unable to carry again tears. “Hopefully this will at last serve as an example that you can’t give up and that you have to keep fighting until the end.”

Sergio Ramos opened the scoring for Madrid with a header within the ninth minute for his sixth purpose for the reason that league resumed. Leganés equalized with Bryan Gil’s purpose in first-half stoppage time earlier than Marco Asensio gave Madrid the lead once more from shut vary within the 52nd.

Roger Assalé equalized once more with a shot from inside the world within the 78th however the hosts weren’t capable of finding the winner regardless of some good possibilities close to the tip. They wished a penalty for a hand ball inside the world within the closing minutes however video assessment let the sport proceed.

Leganés was unbeaten within the final 5 rounds, with three wins and two attracts. The staff from southern Madrid final performed within the second division in 2015-16.

Madrid performed with out some common starters and others had been substituted early within the second half.

MESSI DOUBLE

Messi’s double helped Barcelona shut the league season on a positive word after a 2-1 residence loss to Osasuna within the second-to-last-round.

Ansu Fati, Luis Suárez and Nelson Semedo additionally scored for Barcelona, which had already secured second place upfront.

Messi ended with 4 extra objectives than Madrid striker Karim Benzema to clinch his fourth scoring title in a row.

Barcelona now turns its focus to its Aug. eight residence sport towards Napoli within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League. The first leg, performed earlier than the break, ended 1-1.

“We have important things to play for,” Messi mentioned. “We needed some tranquility to clear our heads and come back with more desire than ever.”

EUROPA LEAGUE SPOTS

Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Granada grabbed the Europa League spots within the closing spherical.

Villarreal routed Eibar 4-Zero to complete in fifth place, Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at Atlético Madrid to finish sixth and Granada defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-Zero to earn seventh.

The Champions League spots had already been clinched by Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla.

Cádiz and Huesca have already secured promotion to the primary division.