REAL Madrid won the Liga title with two games to spare after a comfortable 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao. Goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo – who missed a penalty – saw off the Basques as Jose Mourinho’s side moved on to 94 points, seven clear of Barcelona with six up for grabs.
It is Real’s first Liga title in four years, breaking the dominance of outgoing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
The result also has an impact on Athletic’s season – the Europa League finalists cannot now qualify for the Champions League, and face an almighty battle to qualify for Europe’s second-tier club competition, lying eighth.
Real entered the match knowing victory would seal the title – and the nerves appeared to fray early on as Ronaldo fired a spot-kick weakly at Gorka Iraizoz after Javi Martinez handballed.
Higuain put them ahead soon afterwards with a rifled finish into the top corner after slick play by Ozil and Ronaldo.
Germany midfielder Ozil added a second within three minutes after more good play from Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso, putting the visitors two goals up within 20 minutes.
Athletic hit the bar through defender Jon Aurtenetxe but that was a blip as Ozil responded by hitting the woodwork.
Ronaldo completed the rout early in the second half, found unmarked by an Alonso corner, while the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Javi Martinez picked up a second yellow card.
The match was over as a contest, Real’s win greeted with wild celebrations by Mourinho and his charges as the Portuguese completed title wins in a fourth nation. (Eurosport)