Real claim 36th Spanish title after Girona stun Barca

MADRID, MAY 5: Real Madrid earned what coach Carlo Ancelotti said was a "deserved" La Liga title on Saturday after beating Cadiz 3-0 and Girona sealed it with a stunning 4-2 victory over Barcelona.

Ancelottis side did their homework by beating Cadiz and after last seasons champions stumbled against Girona, Los Blancos were crowned champions for a record-extending 36th time.

Gironas dramatic victory saw the Catalan minnows qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history, in only their fourth season in Spains top flight.
Ancelotti rotated heavily ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Bayern Munich next week, but his players still got the job done.

Brahim Diaz netted in the 51st minute to put Madrid ahead and then set up Jude Bellingham, with Joselu tapping home a third.
"Weve had a spectacular Liga campaign," Ancelotti told reporters.

"Weve made few errors and the advantage is deserved."

Madrids comfortable win over Cadiz sent them 14 points clear of last seasons champions Barcelona, in third, with only 12 left to play for.

Girona, second after their second 4-2 win over Barcelona this season, trail Madrid by 13 points.

"We leave our skins out there on the pitch to live moments like todays," Madrid striker Joselu told Real Madrid TV.

"There are young players who are very hungry for titles, veterans who are delighted to be here... and these are special moments."

With the Bayern second leg in mind, Ancelotti only selected captain Nacho Fernandez from the starting line-up that earned a 2-2 draw in Bavaria this week.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started for the first time after a nine-month lay off after a knee injury and kept a clean sheet.

Madrid midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest player to appear for the club in La Liga, at 38 years and 238 days, breaking late Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas record from 1965 by five days.

The visitors, 18th and still battling to stay up, shaded the first half but Madrids goals came in the second.

Courtois made a superb save to deny Chris Ramos early in the second half and Madrid took the lead immediately afterwards.

Diaz received from the evergreen Modric on the edge of the area, turned slickly and curled an effort into the top corner.

Bellingham, on as a substitute for Turkish teenager Arda Guler, added the second soon after entering the fray at the end of a fine team move.

It was the England internationals 18th league goal of the season, keeping him in contention to finish as the top scorer.
Madrid put the cherry on their cake after a superb run by Nacho.

Poised to depart at the end of the season, the Spaniard was hailed by the Bernabeu after setting up Joselu for a simple finish in stoppage time.    —AFP