Real Madrid Wins 36th La Liga Title Thanks to Girona’s Victory Over Barcelona

Real Madrid claimed the La Liga title on Saturday in a thrilling turn of events. They first secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Cádiz at the Bernabéu, adding three more points to their tally. Which bringing it up to an impressive 87 points from 34 games. But the real twist came when their arch-rivals Barcelona suffered a defeat at the hands of Girona.

Girona’s 4-2 win over Barça at Montilivi propelled them into second place, but more importantly. It handed Real Madrid an unassailable 13-point lead at the top of the table with just four games remaining. This monumental achievement marks Real Madrid’s 36th La Liga title. Which extending their record and cementing their dominance in Spanish football history.

Real Madrid isn’t just celebrating their La Liga title victory. They also have their eyes set on adding to their incredible tally of 14 European Cups. Their next challenge? A showdown with Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.

The first leg in Germany ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving the tie evenly balanced as they head into the second leg at the Bernabéu on Wednesday. But the stakes are high because the winner won’t just secure a spot in the final. They’ll also face either Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund in the June 1 championship match.

It’s an exciting time for Real Madrid fans as their team aims to add another prestigious trophy to their illustrious collection.

Before Barcelona’s defeat, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed the need to temper their celebrations. Which emphasizing the importance of the upcoming game on Wednesday. “We have to put our joy on ice because we have a very important game ahead of us on Wednesday,” he stated.

Ancelotti praised his team’s performance throughout the Spanish league season, highlighting their consistency and rare mistakes. He noted that the lead they’ve built is well-deserved, reflecting on what has been a spectacular season for Real Madrid.

We need to focus on recovering, getting some rest, and giving our best against Bayern,” remarked Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. This season, Madrid seemed poised to play second fiddle to reigning champions Barcelona, especially after key setbacks.

Karim Benzema’s departure in the summer raised doubts. While injuries to Thibaut Courtois, and defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao further complicated matters. Which leaving the team in a challenging position.

However, despite these obstacles, Madrid has shown resilience and determination. So, ultimately securing the La Liga title in a remarkable display of strength and unity.

Jude Bellingham’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund turned out to be a game changer for Madrid. Not only did he shine as a goal scorer, but his leadership qualities in midfield also made a significant impact.

Alongside Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior’s incredible dribbling skills, speed, and knack for finding the back of the net propelled Madrid far ahead of their competition in the league. Together, their contributions played a vital role in Madrid’s dominance throughout the season. Which is helping them secure the La Liga title with their exceptional performances on the field.

This season, it looked like Madrid was going to be chasing Barcelona again. Karim Benzema, one of their star players, left the team during the summer.

Then, things got worse when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders David Alaba and Eder Militao all got serious leg injuries. This left Madrid in a tough spot, trying to keep up with Barcelona without some of their key players.

Despite the setbacks, Madrid found a silver lining in Jude Bellingham. Who arrived from Borussia Dortmund and quickly blossomed into a scorer. His goals and leadership in midfield added a new dimension to the team.

Alongside him, Vinícius Júnior showcased his exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and goal-scoring ability. Together, they propelled Madrid far ahead of the other teams in the league. Their dynamic play not only compensated for the absence of key players but also elevated Madrid’s performance to new heights.

Madrid has been on a remarkable run this season, losing only once in 34 rounds of matches so far. Their dominance was evident in their performances against Barcelona, their fierce rivals. As Madrid emerged victorious in both league “clásico” matches. Additionally, Madrid showed their superiority by handing Girona two heavy defeats in their encounters, demonstrating their ability to outclass opponents convincingly.

This string of successes has solidified Madrid’s position as the team to beat in the league. Which showcasing their formidable strength and consistency throughout the season.

Reserve Players Rise:

Ahead of the decisive match against Bayern, Ancelotti made significant changes to his lineup. Only one player, center back Nacho Fernández, retained his starting position from the first leg against Bayern.

This overhaul saw a fresh set of players take to the field, reflecting Ancelotti’s strategic approach and willingness to adapt for crucial encounters. The decision to shake up the lineup highlighted the depth of Madrid’s squad. Ancelotti’s confidence in the capabilities of his players to deliver when it mattered most.

In the 51st minute at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, Brahim Díaz made a breakthrough against Cadiz’s defense. The forward seized an opportunity and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

With precision and skill, he directed the ball into the top corner of the net. It is leaving the Cadiz goalkeeper with no chance to make a save. Díaz’s remarkable goal not only showcased his individual talent. But also provided Madrid with a crucial moment of brilliance in the match.

One of the standout performers of the season, Bellingham, made an immediate impact. As he came on as a substitute in the 68th minute. Within moments of stepping onto the field, he tapped in a second goal for Madrid. This marked his 18th league goal of the campaign, further solidifying his reputation as a key player for the team.

Bellingham’s ability to make an instant impact highlighted his importance to Madrid’s success. Then, in injury time, Joselu Mato sealed the victory for Madrid by adding a third goal. This late goal put the result beyond doubt. And secured another important win for Madrid in their pursuit of success in the league.

Girona’s Historic Journey:

In a stunning turn of events, Girona managed to surpass Barcelona in the standings, pushing their Catalan rivals into third place. This significant shift occurred with Barcelona trailing Madrid by a considerable 14 points. Girona’s rise in the rankings showcased their determination and ability to compete at the highest level. Which shaking up the traditional order of Spanish football.

This achievement not only reflected Girona’s strength as a team but also highlighted the competitive nature of the league. Where unexpected outcomes can often redefine the standings.

Barcelona coach Xavi and his team endured a double blow in their recent match. First, their hopes of clinching the title took a hit as Madrid emerged victorious, securing the championship. This loss not only dashed Barcelona’s own aspirations but also allowed Madrid to claim the coveted title.

To add to their disappointment, Barcelona suffered another setback as Girona secured a significant victory in the Catalan derby, moving ahead of Barcelona into second place in the standings. This marked Girona’s second major triumph over Barcelona in the season, further intensifying the blow for Xavi’s team.

The combination of Madrid’s triumph and Girona’s rise underscored the challenges faced by Barcelona and the fiercely competitive nature of the league.

Girona secured a top four finish in the league standings, guaranteeing themselves a coveted spot in the Champions League next season. Their achievement was made even more impressive by opening up a commanding 13-point lead over Athletic Bilbao, who sat in fifth place. With this significant gap, Girona ensured they would finish the season in the top four, marking a historic milestone for the club and its supporters.

Furthermore, Girona’s success had broader implications for Spanish football, particularly for Barcelona. Holding onto second place in the standings, Girona now had the opportunity to deny Barcelona a lucrative spot in the Spanish Super Cup.

By maintaining their position, Girona could prevent Barcelona from securing this prestigious berth, adding an extra layer of competition and motivation to their remaining matches. This scenario highlighted the importance of every point and position in the league, with teams vying not only for their own success but also for the potential impact on their rivals.

Xavi expressed frustration and disappointment following Barcelona’s recent match, stating, “We had the game under control and then gave it away, and that is a summary of our season.” This sentiment encapsulated Barcelona’s struggles throughout the campaign, where they often failed to maintain leads or capitalize on dominant positions.

Xavi pointed out that similar scenarios unfolded in their encounters against Madrid and Girona, emphasizing the recurring nature of their shortcomings.

Reflecting on these challenges, Xavi acknowledged the difficulty of competing when unable to hold onto leads or control matches effectively. He emphasized the need for significant changes if Barcelona aimed to be competitive in the upcoming season.

Xavi’s remarks underscored the urgency for Barcelona to address their weaknesses and implement reforms to enhance their performance and competitiveness moving forward.

Girona’s substitute Cristian “Portu” Portugués became the game-changer in their match against Barcelona. Entering the game in the 65th minute with his team trailing 2-1, Portu made an instant impact by scoring on his first touch.

Just two minutes later, he set up Miguel Gutiérrez for another goal, shifting the momentum in Girona’s favor. Portu wasn’t done yet; in the 74th minute, he curled in his second goal of the match, completing an impressive brace and securing Girona’s victory.

Barcelona had taken an early lead when Lamine Yamal assisted Andreas Christensen in the third minute. However, Girona responded swiftly, with Artem Dovbyk heading in his league leading 20th goal seconds later, equalizing the score.

Yamal then played a pivotal role for Barcelona, earning a penalty just before halftime, which Robert Lewandowski successfully converted. Despite their initial lead, Barcelona’s inability to contain Girona’s resurgence led to their eventual defeat in the match.

Madrid’s Star Goalkeeper Back in Action:

Courtois made his long-awaited return to the goal for Madrid, marking his first appearance of the season after battling through two leg injuries. The 31-year-old Belgian endured a challenging road to recovery, initially tearing the ACL in his left knee in August, just two days before Madrid’s first game of the season. Despite the setback, Courtois persevered in his rehabilitation efforts.

However, misfortune struck again in March when Courtois suffered another setback, this time rupturing the meniscus in his right knee while preparing to make his comeback.

Despite these obstacles, Courtois remained determined and dedicated to regaining his fitness and returning to action for his team. His return to the pitch was not only a significant milestone for him personally but also a major boost for Madrid as they welcomed back their star goalkeeper.

Courtois returned to the field with minimal action, save for a crucial moment just before Díaz’s opening goal. During a breakaway by Cadiz striker Chris Ramos, Courtois swiftly intervened, snuffing out the threat and maintaining Madrid’s defensive solidity.

Despite Courtois’ return, coach Ancelotti announced that Andriy Lunin, the backup goalkeeper who had performed admirably in Courtois’ absence, would reclaim his spot in goal for the second leg against Bayern. This decision highlighted Ancelotti’s trust in Lunin’s abilities and showcased the depth of Madrid’s squad.

Meanwhile, Cadiz continued to struggle in their battle to avoid relegation, spending much of the match defending in their own area. The team from southern Spain remained entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting five points away from safety. Their defensive efforts against Madrid were indicative of their challenging season and the uphill battle they faced to secure their place in the top flight.