Real Madrid clinch record-extending 34th La Liga title

Bengaluru, July 17: Real Madrid regained the La Liga crown after three years as they clinched a record-extending 34th title in the top flight of Spanish football with one game to spare by beating Villarreal 2-1 at home thanks to two goals from their leading scorer Karim Benzema.

Benzema fired through the legs of keeper Sergio Asenjo to put Madrid ahead after 29 minutes and converted a penalty in the 77th to help Real on their way to a remarkable 10th consecutive win since the La Liga season resumed after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stoppage.

Benzema had put the ball in the net moments earlier after an audacious pass from the spot kick by original penalty taker Sergio Ramos but it had to be re-taken due to encroachment.

The French forward then stepped up to take the penalty himself and slammed it into the bottom corner to score his 21st league goal of the campaign.

Real Madrid have 86 points after 37 games, seven more than deposed champions Barcelona who were beaten 1-2 at home to Osasuna.

Results | Points Table | Fixtures

Villarreal pulled a late goal back through Vicente Iborra and should have snatched an equaliser in added time, while Real's Marco Asensio thought he had added a third goal later on but it was ruled out by VAR for offside.

After the match Real captain Ramos hoisted the La Liga trophy into the air at the empty Alfredo di Stefano stadium, where the Madrid side have been playing their final games of the season while their Santiago Bernabeu home is being renovated.

"To return after spending three months locked in our homes and to win 10 matches in a row is incredible, but I always believed in my team and knew we could win it," said Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

(With inputs from Agencies)