Real Madrid secured their 33rd La Liga title, and their first since the 2016-17 campaign, with a 2-0 win at Malaga on Sunday night.
Los Blancos needed a point to be sure of finishing above reigning champions Barcelona at the top of the table, and the visitors made the perfect start at La Rosaleda - Cristiano Ronaldo netting just two minutes into the contest.
Karim Benzema then doubled Real Madrid's lead 10 minutes into the second period, and 2-0 was how it finished on the night as the Madrid giants finished three points ahead of Barcelona at the summit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.01pmEvening all! It all comes down to tonight then. Real Madrid need a point at Malaga to lift their 33rd La Liga title, but a defeat for Los Blancos would open the door for Barcelona to retain their crown. Sports Mole has the final night of La Liga action covered, and our focus here is on Real Madrid's visit to Malaga. Can the Madrid giants win their first league title since the 2011-12 campaign under Jose Mourinho, or will Barcelona retain the crown? Stay tuned to find out right here!
6.04pmBarcelona, who host Eibar tonight, need a favour from Malaga, but the Andalusian outfit have only won one of their 15 home La Liga games against Real Madrid - suffering nine defeats in the process. The points were shared in a 1-1 draw when the pair met at this stadium last season, however, and Real Madrid were only narrow 2-1 winners over Malaga at the Bernabeu in January. All of the pressure is on Zinedine Zidane's team as they bid to lift what is an overdue La Liga title.
6.07pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from La Rosaleda. There were suggestions that Gareth Bale would be back for Real Madrid tonight – has that occurred? How strong are Malaga on the final day? All of the questions answered...
6.10pmTEAMS!
MALAGA: Kameni; Torres, Luis H, Mikel, Ricca; Camacho, Recio; Fornals, Keko, Jony; Sandro
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
© SilverHub
6.13pmSo, no Bale in the Real Madrid squad tonight. Isco once again gets the nod alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the final third, while Danilo is in at right-back due to the continued absence of Dani Carvajal. The midfield three, as expected, are Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric, while Raphael Varane partners Sergio Ramos at the heart of the away side's defence.
6.16pmAs for Malaga, former Barcelona forward Sandro Ramirez leads the line once again, while Pablo Fornals will again join Keko and Jony in the final third of the field. Ignacio Camacho is back from suspension to start in central midfield, but Duda is only fit enough for the bench.
6.19pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Malaga. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's first focus on the league leaders Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos lead second-place Barcelona by three points, meaning that a point here would be enough to secure the title.
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6.22pmLast weekend, Real Madrid were actually still behind Barcelona on the head-to-head record, but Zidane's side won 4-1 at Celta Vigo on Wednesday night to ensure that they would enter the final matchday atop the division. Ninety points have been gained through 28 wins and six draws, with Los Blancos only losing three of their 37 league matches entering tonight's match.
6.25pmReal Madrid actually have a worse scoring record (104 goals) than Barcelona (112 goals) this season, while Los Blancos have conceded more (41) than Barcelona (35) this term. Just one more win has seen the Madrid giants top the pile, despite losing 3-2 at home to Barcelona on April 23. At that point, the reigning Spanish champions were very much back in the argument.
6.28pmReal Madrid have won their last five in the league, however, hitting four goals in each of their last three games against Granada, Sevilla and Celta Vigo. As well as leading La Liga, Los Blancos also have the small matter of a Champions League final against Juventus on June 3 as they attempt to become the first team in the modern era to successfully defend the European Cup.
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6.32pmIf Real Madrid do land their 33rd La Liga title tonight, they would end their longest streak without winning Spain's top prize (four seasons). Meanwhile, one goal tonight would mean that they have scored in all of their games in a single La Liga season for the first time in their history.
6.35pmRonaldo, who has 39 goals in 44 matches for Real Madrid this season, has scored 15 times in his last 15 league appearances against Malaga, and the fact that the 32-year-old has only won one league title during his time in the Spanish capital is a quite incredible statistic. There were question marks over the Portuguese earlier this season, but he remains the go-to man for Real Madrid.
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6.38pmIt is not against all realms of possibilities that Malaga could beat Real Madrid tonight, however, and that would open the door for Barcelona. Luis Enrique's side will fancy their chances of overcoming Eibar, and if that occurs with a Real Madrid defeat, the reigning champions would snatch the league away from their bitter rivals at the final moment. This is how Barcelona will line up...
🔴🔵 Barça XI:
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 21, 2017
1.Ter Stegen
4.Rakitic
5.Sergio
8.Iniesta
9.Suárez
10.Messi
11.Neymar
18.J.Alba
20.S.Roberto
23.Umtiti
33.Marlon#ForçaBarça
6.42pmAs for Malaga, an incredible run of form has seen the Andalusian team win six of their last eight in the league – including a 2-0 victory at home to the champions Barcelona last month. That run of form has seen Michel's side rise into 11th position in the table, although they cannot finish any higher, and a defeat tonight could see them finish down in 13th position.
6.45pmIn Sandro Ramirez, Malaga have a forward enjoying a fine campaign. The Spaniard has netted 14 times in La Liga this season, becoming the first Malaga player since Salva Ballesta in 2003-04 to reach that total. The former Barcelona attacker would love nothing more than to stop Real Madrid winning the title, and Los Blancos will need to be aware of his presence tonight.
6.48pmMalaga have actually won 10 of their 18 home league games this season, scoring 32 times in the process. They look set to finish in their lowest position in La Liga since the 2009-10 campaign, but it would be some story if they prevented Real Madrid from winning the league at the final hurdle. The atmosphere is building inside the stadium as we approach kickoff here!
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6.52pmThis is some statistic...
La Liga medals in Madrid squad at moment - Ramos & Marcelo 3, Pepe 2, Ronaldo, Benzema, Morata, Coentrao & Varane 1. Everyone else zero.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 21, 2017
6.55pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at La Rosaleda. I shall keep you up-to-date with what is happening at Camp Nou, but you can follow live minute-by-minute coverage of Barcelona versus Eibar here. Stay right here for Real Madrid. Game on!
6.58pmPERMUTATIONS! If Real Madrid win/draw, they win the title. If Real Madrid lose, a win for Barcelona against Eibar would see the Catalan side lift the crown on the head-to-head record.
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off at La Rosaleda...
2 min... GOAL! Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
3 minWell, that did not take long! Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the second minute as Ronaldo races onto a through pass from Isco before rounding Kameni and finishing into the back of the net. It is a big blow for Barcelona as the league leaders move closer to the title!
5 minAll Real Madrid in these early moments as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, and Malaga just cannot live with the league leaders at La Rosaleda. Just a reminder that a point would be enough to see Real Madrid claim their 33rd La Liga title.
6 minHalf-chance for Danilo as the right-back races into the Malaga box, but his effort is wide of the post. Real Madrid seem intent on blowing Malaga away in these early moments.
7.07pmUPDATE! Eibar have taken the lead at Barcelona. Good grief!
9 minMalaga just cannot seem to keep hold of the ball at the moment as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. It would take a brave man to beat against Real Madrid winning the title from this position. So much needs to happen for Barcelona.
11 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Benzema meets a Marcelo cross inside the Malaga box, but the ball just runs away from the Frenchman, and Hernandez is on hand to clear down-field.
12 minJony hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.
13 minSAVE! Navas gets down low to keep out a strike from Sandro!
14 minEnd-to-end game at the moment as Benzema meets a deep Marcelo cross, but the Frenchman's effort is deflected wide of the post. Still 1-0 Real Madrid at La Rosaleda.
16 minI would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight, especially as Malaga continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Remember, just a draw will do for Real Madrid, although they can also lose and win the title if Barcelona fail to beat Eibar at Camp Nou.
19 minA reminder that Malaga entered this match in fine form, and they are not just going to roll over tonight. Sandro again shows smart feet inside the Real Madrid box, but Varane is across to make the challenge. Sandro will be desperate to harm Real Madrid's title hopes tonight.
21 minSAVE! Wonderful goalkeeping from Navas as the Real Madrid stopper flies across his goal to keep out a free kick from Sandro, which was heading for the top corner of the net!
23 minReal Madrid have just managed to regain control of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but Malaga are almost waiting to counter-attack, which is creating a very interesting spectacle.
25 minMalaga survive a dangerous moment after conceding possession down the right. Marcelo is first to react as the Brazilian collects before feeding a pass into Ronaldo, but the home side manage to clear behind for a corner, which is dealt with. Still 1-0 Real Madrid at La Rosaleda.
26 minRamos rises inside the Malaga box, but his header is over the crossbar.
29 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds Kroos on the edge of the Malaga box, but the German international sends the ball over the home side's crossbar. Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment as both continue to enjoy spells with the ball.
31 minSandro remains Malaga's biggest threat, meeting a long throw from the right, and Navas has to turn behind. The danger continues as Camacho rises to meet a cross from Ricca, but his effort is wide of the post. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining at La Rosaleda.
33 minBenzema continues to drift wide for Real Madrid, which is allowing Ronaldo the chance to occupy the number nine position, where he has been deadly in recent months. I still fancy Malaga to score tonight, but the visitors will fancy their chances of netting a couple more.
34 minSAVE! Stunning save from Kameni as the Malaga goalkeeper keeps out a close-range effort from Ronaldo, who had met a low cross from Benzema. Isco actually failed to make contact in a better position, and Ronaldo was denied by a brilliant stop from Kameni!
35 minKroos strikes one into the arms of Kameni from distance.
36 minSAVE! Smart save from Kameni to keep out another effort from Kroos!
38 minCROSSBAR! Sandro drops a corner onto the top of the crossbar!
39 minCLOSE! Keko gets his head on a thumping strike from Sandro, and the ball just drops wide of the Real Madrid post. Malaga have had their chances to level here!
41 minCLOSE! Keko meets a super cross from Jony, and his header is just wide!
43 minPossession football from Real Madrid as they look to stem the flow of traffic here.
45 minAnother nervy moment for Real Madrid as Camacho comes close to meeting a free kick from Sandro, but the offside flag is raised. Malaga are unlucky to be behind at this stage of the match.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid
7.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a Ronaldo strike in the second minute of the contest. As it stands, Los Blancos are going to be crowned La Liga champions for the 2016-17 campaign ahead of Barcelona.
7.52pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid have only just shaded the possession with 51%, although they had 10 attempts in the first period - four of which were on target. Malaga, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their nine attempts. No bookings to report - it has not been that type of contest.
7.57pmUPDATE! Barcelona need to win tonight to stand any chance of retaining the title, but the Spanish champions are currently 1-0 behind at home to Eibar. Indeed, Inui made the breakthrough in the seventh minute of that clash, strengthening Real Madrid's grip on the title!
46 minRESTART! Malaga resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both Michel and Zidane will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace.
49 minPossession football from Malaga in the early stages of the second period, and you do get the feeling that there is a goal in this match for the in-form hosts. Real Madrid are quite deep at the moment as they drop back into a shape, waiting for that moment to threaten on the counter-attack.
49 minSAVE! Good work from Navas to keep out Recio's curling strike.
51 minCrunching challenge from Ricca on Ronaldo, and the number seven's shin-pad goes flying across the pitch. It was a fair challenge, but Ronaldo was not too pleased about the contact.
53 minThere has not yet been a booking in tonight's match, but there is some ill-feeling coming into the contest as Ronaldo is targeted for some heavy treatment. Camacho is the latest to challenge the Portuguese, who reacts once again. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 53 minutes on the clock here.
55 minIsco regains the ball high up the field before looking to feed Benzema, but Hernandez is across to make the clearance as Malaga survive a dangerous moment. End-to-end football at La Rosaleda.
55 minGOAL! Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid (Benzema)
56 minReal Madrid double their lead in the 55th minute of this contest as Benzema fires home from close range after Kameni had kept out a close-range effort from Ramos. It is a massive goal!
56 minBOOKING! Kameni (Malaga) is booked for dissent. He wanted a handball.
59 minMalaga remain a threat as Sandro releases Keko in a wide position, but the latter can only lift his effort across goal, and Varane is on hand to clear. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining here.
59 minSAVE! Navas keeps out Camacho's close-range header.
60 minMALAGA SUB! Keko is replaced by Castro for the home side.
8.15pmUPDATE! Eibar have taken a 2-0 lead at Barcelona. Incredible!
8.16pmUPDATE! Barcelona have one back against Eibar. It is now 2-1 to the visitors.
63 minReal Madrid, who are closing on the title, are about to make a couple of changes here.
65 minMalaga are not quite finished here, with the home side still committing plenty of numbers in the final third of the field. I still fancy the home team to get their name on the scoresheet tonight.
66 minREAL MADRID SUBS! James and Kovacic replace Isco and Casemiro.
68 minReal Madrid are very much heading for their 33rd La Liga title, and their first since 2012 under the management of Jose Mourinho. The Madrid giants are pretty much there, even with 20 minutes left.
70 minMALAGA SUB! Charles replaces Sandro for the home side.
8.24pmUPDATE! Messi has just missed a penalty for Barcelona! It remains 2-1 Eibar!
71 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Benzema's finish from a James cross is chalked off!
72 minMALAGA SUBS! Duda replaces Jony for the home side.
73 minREAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces Benzema for the away side.
8.28pmUPDATE! Barcelona are level against Eibar after a close-range Suarez effort.
75 minLittle over 15 minutes of football remaining at La Rosaleda, and Real Madrid are closing on the title. Soon, their focus will switch to the Champions League final against Juventus, which promises to be some match. Juve, a brilliant Juve, won their domestic division earlier this afternoon.
8.30pmUPDATE! Messi has sent Barcelona 3-2 ahead against Eibar!
77 minIn fairness to Malaga, they have given everything in this match. Real Madrid have not had to be at their best tonight, but goals from Ronaldo and Benzema see them lead 2-0 at this stage of the contest.
78 minFornals sends one into the stands as Malaga pass up another decent half-chance.
79 minWIDE! Camacho heads just wide of the Real Madrid post.
82 minStill Malaga commit players forward, but Real Madrid are quite comfortable as they sit in a deep position. The Madrid giants are less than 10 minutes away from claiming the La Liga title.
84 minIt has been some effort from Barcelona to come from 2-0 behind to lead Eibar entering the final stages at Camp Nou, but it will not be enough unless Malaga can score three times in the final five minutes or so. Stranger things have happened, but I will genuinely eat my hat if that occurs here.
86 minCastro has a close-range attempt blocked, before Charles misses the target from close range as Malaga look to give their supporters something to cheer in the final stages of the 2016-17 season.
87 minMarcelo cuts inside before sending one into the stands.
88 minSAVE! Smart save from Kameni to keep out Modric's close-range effort.
89 minMarcelo tries his luck once again, but the Brazilian's effort is again wide of the target.
90 minSAVE! Navas tips Castro's effort onto the crossbar!
90 min+1We are into the first of two additional minutes at La Rosaleda.
90 min+2Charles heads over the Real Madrid crossbar from close range.
8.47pmUPDATE! Messi has sent Barcelona 4-2 ahead against Eibar at Camp Nou.
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid
8.48pmREAL MADRID ARE LA LIGA CHAMPIONS!
8.51pmReal Madrid have secured their 33rd La Liga title, and their first since the 2016-17 campaign, with a 2-0 win at Malaga on Sunday night. Los Blancos needed a point to be sure of finishing above reigning champions Barcelona at the top of the table, and the visitors made the perfect start at La Rosaleda - Cristiano Ronaldo netting just two minutes into the contest. Karim Benzema then doubled Real Madrid's lead 10 minutes into the second period, and 2-0 was how it finished on the night as the Madrid giants finished three points ahead of Barcelona at the summit. Now onto the Champions League!
8.54pmThanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Congratulations to Real Madrid, who are the champions of Spain for the 33rd time. What a moment for the club!
