Atletico Madrid have won the La Liga title on the final matchday after beating Real Valladolid 2-1 as Angel Correa, and Luis Suarez found the scoresheet in the second half. Atletico were on the backfoot for the entirety of the first half as the home side created more danger in the counter-attack and even scored a goal in the process through Oscar Plano. Los Rojiblancos got back into the game after Angel Correa halved the deficit with a brilliant strike before Suarez pounced on a defensive howler from the hosts to make it 2-1. Atletico held on to the lead to get three crucial points, thus lifting the La Liga title. Here are the major talking points.
La Liga ended with a massive climax, and Atletico kept nerve to win it 11th time
The title race was extended up to the very last moment of the match as Real Madrid took 2-1 lead at Madrid after scoring two goals in closing moments. Atletico endured some nervous moments at the end and finished two points ahead of Real Madrid.
They lifted the title for record 11th time.
Luis Suarez proves himself as the key man behind the title win
Luis Suarez, who provided the decisive goal in the comeback win against Osasuna in their previous game, hadn’t stopped there as he did it again today on the final matchday. The Uruguayan held his nerves to slot the ball past Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip. His tally has also risen to 21 goals, and most importantly, he has helped Atletico win the La Liga title.
Barcelona let him go at the start of the season because of his age, but the Uruguayan has proven but he can win the major trophies. The Uruguayan’s departure from Catalunia giants has been discussed over and over again.
Starting Angel Correa ahead of Joao Felix justified
Time and again, we have seen how much value Angel Correa adds to this Atletico squad, although he hasn’t been Diego Simeone’s choice for years. After today’s brilliant performance, where he scored the equaliser stunningly, the Argentine deserves to be held in high regard. To everyone’s surprise, Correa has played more than 200 matches for Atletico but always been up to the task whenever the chances came. He has been trusted by Simeone a lot this season, and the Argentine has repaid the faith by his impressive tally of 17 goal contributions in La Liga.
Simeone’s Atletico are champions after six years.
Having last won the title in the 2013/14 season, Atletico never managed to break the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the years that followed. However, Los Rojiblancos had complete control of the title race this season from start to end – although there were slip-ups in between – and made a meal out of both Real and Barca’s fluctuating form.
Diego Simeone become the fourth manager to
Defensive foundations behind Atletico’s success
The Champions have conceded the least amount of goals in the Spanish League this season, and despite conceding tonight, they were well organised at the back, and Valladolid rarely troubled them.
Atletico Madrid’s defensive quality under Diego Simeone has been outstanding over the years, and it has helped them to a League title this season.
Real Valladolid did their best to secure survival
Real Valladolid have been relegated from La Liga Satandar after losing their closing match. Real Valladolid finished 19th. At one point during the match, they were 1-0 up against La Liga champions, but even though they would have faced the same fate.
Real Madrid were hapless despite winning on the final matchday.
The scenario was that Real Madrid could have been the champions if they would defeat Villarreal on the final matchday, and Atletico drop points subsequently. However, much to their disappointment, Atletico stood tall on the final matchday despite Zidane’s men grabbing three points in their closing match.
