Real Madrid:Route to La Liga Title
Thirteen Matches that Brought Primera Liga Success to the Bernabeu
An incredible run that brought an amazing turn around to Real Madrid's season as they mounted a sustained challenge on Barcelona and Sevilla to claim the La Liga title.
In mid-march when Real Madrid played Barcelona at the Nou Camp, they were five points behind their opponents who had just lost top place to Sevilla who were a point ahead. Real had gone out of the Champions League and their recent form had seen them record three consecutive draws and have only one win in six games.
However, from that point they chased down top place and ended the season as winners of the Primera Liga for a record thirtieth time.
Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 3
A weakened real team with many injuries stunned Barcelona and after taking an early lead through Ruud van Nistlerooy, they led the home team three times and only missed out on three points when Messi completed his hat-trick with a last minute equaliser.
Real Madrid 2 Gimnastic 0
Jeered at the interval against the bottom team, Real recovered to win with a goal from half-time substitute, Robinho and an own goal.
Celta Viga 1 Real Madrid 2
Still fielding a weakened team due to injuries, Real won with a first half goal from van Nistlerooy and a late Robinho winner.
Real Madrid 2 Osasuna 0
Goals in each half from Raul and Robinho saw Real close to within two points of Barcelona.
Racing Santander 2 Real Madrid 1
The only slip on the road to the title. Real missed he opportunity to move above Barcelona after taking a first half lead with a Raul strike. Two penalties in the final twenty minutes brought Real’s only defeat and further problems when they had two players dismissed in the final minutes. They were now five points behind leaders, Barcelona.
Real Madrid 2 Valencia 1
Victory over a title challenger with David Beckham returning as substitute after injury. An early van Nistlerooy goal and a Sergio Ramos second half winner.
Athletico Bilbao 1 Real Madrid 4
A comprehensive win with van Nistlerooy scoring twice.
Real Madrid 3 Sevilla 2
Another challenger brought down after going a goal behind. Level at half-time, van Nistlerooy continued his goal scoring form with two in the second half.
Real Madrid 4 Espanyol 3
A seven goal thriller and a spirited fight back after being 1-3 behind to a Pandiani hat-trick at the interval, it required a last minute winner to maintain Real’s progress towards the La Liga title and move level on points with Barcelona but into top spot.
Recreativo Huelva 2 Real Madrid 3
Another last minute winner after the home side came from two down to equalise with four minutes remaining. Roberto Carlos supplied the late winner, van Nistlerooy having scored in the first half.
Real Madrid 3 Deportivo La Coruna 1
Ahead at half-time, after the visitors levelled, Real restored their lead within two minutes and van Nistlerooy secured the three points with a third.
Real Zaragoza 2 Real Madrid 2
With Barcelona and Sevilla in contention, all three teams drew but as the games progressed the league leadership changed back and forth between Real and Barca but van Nistlerooy’s two second half goals, including a late equaliser, earned the point to keep Real on top while a late equaliser denied Barcelona of a win.
Real Madrid 3 Real Mallorca 1
The final game and Real Madrid knew that a win would secure the title. After an early shock, they gradually took control and three second half goals, two from substitute Jose Antonio Reyes, gave them the three points and the title ahead of Barcelona who won comfortably against relegated Gimnastic.
Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0
One other vital game on the road to the La Liga title was the home victory over Barcelona the previous October. With both teams level on points, the head to head games between the two clubs determined the champions and the two goals, early in each half, from Raul and van Nistlerooy made all the difference. This game had been one of Real’s better early season performances.
Real Madrid had won their first trophy in four years - their last being the league title of 2003.
