La Liga Week 35: Osasuna - Real Madrid

REAL MADRID CHAMPION DE LA LIGA

Highlights

REAL MADRID WIN LA LIGA

Real Madrid have won the league title after a dramatic late comeback with ten men saw them overcome an Osasuna side that looked to be heading for victory with only a few minutes remaining.

Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuaín netted in the final moments after Fabio Cannavaro had been sent off earlier in the game and Madrid were able to celebrate their 31st championships.

Osasuna remain in deep trouble in the bottom three after looking set to win the game when Patxi Puñal had put them ahead with just eight minutes of the game remaining.

The visitors arrived knowing that only a victory would see them crowned champions after Villarreal's victory earlier in the day, but their cautious opening gave no signal to the drama that would come at the end of the game.

It was only when they went down to ten men and rearranged the team that they were able to open up and find the space that their hosts had left after going forward looking for goals themselves.

Usually, Madrid supporters stay away from the Reyno de Navarra, but with the title at stake a large number travelled up to add spice to the already incredible atmosphere inside the compact ground.

Guti may have said too much when he stated that he hoped to clinch the championships in el Clásico against Barcelona in midweek and there appeared to be a few on the pitch that agreed with him.

Javier Saviola started after his impressive display last weekend and knocked an Arjen Robben cross just wide in the opening seconds, but Madrid were more happy to sit back and allow their hosts to have possession.

It was not that dangerous a strategy given that only their former striker Javier Portillo went close in the first 25 minutes before going close again near the half-hour mark.

Osasuna did have the majority of the ball and it was a tactic that may have meant postponing the title celebrations once again for the visitors with only Mahamadou Diarrpa going close before the break.

Moments after the restart the game appeared to wing even further in the home team's favour when Cannavaro went through the back of Jaroslav Plasil and was shown a direct red card. It may have been a strong decision, but the Italian was going off anyway given that he had been booked in the opening period.

Robben and substitute Sneijder both had efforts as the half progressed and Madrid grew in stature with the space afforded them because of Osasuna's own desire to win the game and ease their relegation fears.

Those worries did appear to been forgotten in minute 82 when Gabriel Heinze met a corner with his arm and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Puñal rolled home the opening goal from 12 yards out.

That looked to be it and Madrid would have to wait until Wednesday at the earliest, but Osasuna's concentration went in the final three minutes as they conceded two goals in quick succession.

The equaliser came when Higuaín's free-kick from the left flank was met by Robben and the Dutchman nodded the ball into the far corner of the net.

Moments later and Higuaín was set free down the right of the area and he caught the ball on the bounce to hammer it past the approaching Ricardo and win Madrid the title.

Celebrations were had on the pitch with the travelling fans, but La Cibeles has been set up and supporters in the Spanish capital began to gather almost immediately for what promises to be a long night.