La Liga review: Barcelona farewell Xavi in style, Deportivo’s great escape
The curtain draws on another La Liga season. Azeem Siddiqui reviews the final weekend of league action
La Liga comes to an end after yet another exciting weekend and Barcelona are the newly crowned champions of Spain. The last weekend had some spectacular moments to remember, so without further ado, we review the final weekend of La Liga action.
Ronaldo – 3rd Pichichi in a row
Barcelona & Messi may have won the league, but it’s Real Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who won the Golden shoe award for the third time in row after scoring a hat-trick against Getafe after 33 minutes of the first half. Madrid went on to win their game 7-3 with Chicharito, Jese, James and Marcelo were the other scorers. Ronaldo also created history by becoming the highest scorer in one season in La Liga ever, with an astonishing tally of 48 goals this season.
Real Madrid 7-3 Getafe
Deportivo – A GREAT escape
Deportivo miraculously came from two goals down against Barcelona at Camp Nou to escape relegation which looked certain for most of the match. Desperately needing a point against the newly crowned Spanish Champions, Deportivo hopes were all but gone when they went two goals down with 30 minutes remaining in the second half. But an inspirational performance saw them levelling inside 10 minutes, with goals from Lucas Perez and Diogo Salmao. Granada also escapes relegation with a hard-fought point against the former Spanish champions, Atheltico Madrid at home.
Barcelona 2-2 Deportivo La Coruna
Valencia – Champions League is ON
Valencia qualified for Champions League qualification after a two-year drought. Valencia needed to get a win to keep their fate in their own hands against Almeria, who were fighting for survival and also needed a victory to boost hopes for escaping relegation. Valencia went down twice, but came back both times and finally went into a lead in the 80th minute with a goal who else but Paco Alcacer.
Almeria 2-3 Valencia
Valencia celebrate Champions League qualification. Source: Getty.
Ancelotti rules out AC Milan return
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelloti reveals that it’s either Madrid or Nothing for this year in his plan. There were reports suggesting that Ancelloti might go back to Milan after a potential sacking due to trophy-less season, at the Bernabeu, but the Italian was quick to refuse that and express his desire to take a break from football if he will be sacked in the coming days.
Barca bid farewell to “graceful” Xavi
The Camp Nou faithful bid farewell to the club’s one of the great legend, Xavi Hernandez with a La Liga celebration after an intense draw against Deportivo. Xavi had more than impressive career at Barcelona, with more than 760 appearance for the Blaugrana, with 27 titles in total, including eight La Liga titles.
Also in La Liga:
Levante 0-0 Elche
Celta Vigo 3-2 Espanyol
Granada 0-0 Atletico Madrid
Rayo Vallecano 0-2 Real Sociedad
Malaga 2-3 Sevilla
Athletic Bilbao 4-0 Villarreal
Eibar 3-0 Cordoba