Real Madrid clinched their 36th La Liga title with four games remaining after securing a 3-0 victory over Cadiz. FC Barcelona’s 4-2 defeat against Girona sealed Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s triumph just two hours later.
Barcelona briefly threatened to delay the celebrations, leading 2-1 in the first half with goals from Andreas Christensen and Robert Lewandowski. However, Girona staged a dramatic second-half comeback, with Cristian Portu scoring a brace (including a stunning volley) and a goal from former Real Madrid Castilla player Miguel Gutiérrez.
Girona’s victory not only ended Barcelona’s title hopes but secured the club’s first-ever Champions League qualification. Despite their strong start to the season, they were ultimately outmatched by Real Madrid’s dominance.
Real Madrid has been the undisputed top team in Spain this season, suffering only one defeat across all competitions (to Atletico Madrid). The squad’s adaptability, depth, and unwavering focus, coupled with Ancelotti’s tactical brilliance, were pivotal to their success.
Madrid’s season started in the worst possible way — with an injury crisis that threatened to dent the campaign before it began seriously. Two days before their opening La Liga fixture at Athletic Bilbao, first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage that required surgery. Then Eder Militao, arguably Madrid’s best centre-back, limped off with his own ACL injury in the match at San Mames.
Despite these key injuries, Madrid’s resilience shone through. They acted decisively to replace Courtois, hijacking Bayern Munich’s move for Kepa Arrizabalaga to sign the Spaniard on loan from Chelsea. Arrizabalaga eventually lost his place after some unconvincing performances, which allowed Andriy Lunin to step up.
The Ukrainian, who had spent several seasons on the fringes at Madrid, seized his chance with key displays – including Champions League penalty shootout heroics against Manchester City. The defensive line, bolstered by the arrival of Toni Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, and captain Dani Carvajal, provided vital stability.
Ancelotti’s unwavering leadership was crucial to Los Blancos’ success. His decision to stay with the club, even after difficult losses, paid off as the team defied expectations this season. Vinicius Junior (13 goals, 5 assists) and Rodrygo Goes (10 goals, 5 assists) led the attack without a traditional striker, while Fede Valverde emerged as a consistently excellent performer.
Jude Bellingham’s arrival proved transformative, and his tactical shift to a withdrawn attacking role allowed him to flourish. Contributions from Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler, and the ever-reliable Toni Kroos further bolstered the team.
This title marks the 25th trophy for club legends Nacho and Luka Modrić, who continues to excel even as the oldest player to represent Real Madrid in La Liga. Their Supercopa de España win earlier this year further underscores their enduring quality.
Real Madrid’s quest for silverware isn’t over yet. The team remains in contention for a historic double, holding a strong position as they prepare for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
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