Atletico Madrid overwhelm Real Valladolid to win their first La Liga title since 2013-14

Atletico Madrid edged city rivals Real Madrid to the La Liga title in dramatic fashion by coming from behind to beat Real Valladolid in the final matchday of the season.

Atletico came from behind to beat Real Valladolid 2-1, courtesy to goals from Angel Correa and Luis Suarez in the second half. Diego Simeone’s Atletico are now crowned the 2020/21 LaLiga Santander champions, which is their first title since their triumph in 2013-14. Valladolid, meanwhile, are relegated to LaLiga SmartBank.

Luis Suarez scored Atletico Madrid’s crucial winner as they came from behind in the second half to win a thriller

Atletico were in control of their own fate going into the last game of the season and knew a win would secure the title. As for Real Madrid, they had to beat Villarreal and hope Atletico suffered defeat. As it happened, both Atletico and Real defeated their opponents 2-1 but Atletico maintained their two-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid to seal the title.

However, things smelled otherwise for Atletico in the first half, with Valladolid scoring the shock opener at the 18th minute. Valladolid broke superbly, and Oscar Plano was played through on goal. He started his darting run from within his own half, continuing to the edge of the area before slotting the ball carefully past Oblak. It was a terrific and composed finish, not to say the least as he was clearly on his last legs with Gimenez right behind him.

Atletico tried to break and dominated the game, but Valladolid kept on thwarting their attacks, as Atletico went into the break trailing. However, they came out all guns blazing in the second half, desperate to secure a win.

Just as they had done in last week’s comeback win over Osasuna, Atletico missed a series of clear opportunities but they drew level after a moment of magic from Angel Correa, who danced his way through two Valladolid defenders and then fired into the bottom right corner of Jordi Masip’s goal in the 57th minute.

Suarez then pounced on a giveaway by the Valladolid defence to score in the 67th minute that put Atletico on their way to a victory that would secure their title no matter what happened in Real Madrid’s game at home to Villarreal. Sergi Guardiola’s abysmal pass led to Suarez finding himself one on one with Jordi Masip, and the Atletico striker then showed his composure to finish past the Valladolid goalkeeper.

Sergi Guardiola, whose dreadful pass made Suarez’s goal, could have made amends, as he lashed onto a bouncing ball but fired well over the bar from 12 yards. Atleti then hld onto their nerves that would see then win their first title in seven years, since 2013-14.

Suarez was in tears after the winning the title and said: “I am delighted the way in which Atletico have appreciated me.

“They have given me the chance to keep showing that I can perform on this stage so I am delighted and I thank them for trusting in me. A lot of people who suffered with me, my wife my children my family from day to day.”

“I’ve been playing football for many years and this is the year that my family have suffered the most and I have suffered the most. It’s just an amazing feeling to have performed on the final game of the season.” said Suarez, who was visibly moved after their triumph.

“Maybe he was lucky, maybe I was lucky but it’s Suarez. The name speaks for itself.” Atletico coach Simeone was all praise for Suarez after he clinched the crucial goal.

“We’ve been able to bring joy for many people who have gone through such difficult times. The players have been enormous, I think them so much, above all those who played less, but who made us a team, as we were in every moment.” “I just keep laughing. I don’t know why, but I just keep laughing.” Simeone was caught saying to TV.

“Happy, happy for so many people. It was such a difficult year, friends, family members, fans who died, of Atletico, and other clubs. That Atletico comes out champions this year is something extra special. It always costs us more.” added the Urugyuan manager, after winning his second league title with Atletico.

Atletico finished top of the standings on 86 points while Real, who snatched a late 2-1 win over Villarreal, came second on 84. Valladolid finished 19th and were relegated to Spain’s second division.

Also read : Robert Lewandowski breaks Bundesliga record for most goals as Bayern Munich win League title

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