Real Madrid’s title journey: key matches in winning La Liga
The victory party is on for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos reclaiming the trophy they lost last season.
It was a fitting reward for Carlo Ancelotti for a spectacular season, as we look back at some of the key moments in their championship run.
September 12: A sweet homecoming
A crowd of 19,874 had turned up at the Bernabeu, which Real ran out 5-2 winners over Celta Vigo to extend their unbeaten start to four matches.
Trailing at the half, they turned it around in the second half by firing in four without reply with Karim Benzema’s hat-trick and Eduardo Camavinga’s dream debut being the highlights.
October 24: Bouncing back in El Clasico
Real Madrid suffered their first setback away at Espanyol, and they vowed not to lose in Barcelona ever again.
And they did just that after a week off, with goals by David Alaba and a stoppage time insurance by Lucas Vazquez gave them a vital 2-1 win at the Nou Camp.
The Clasico loss sent the Catalans further down, with their subsequent loss to Rayo Vallecano putting an end to Ronald Koeman’s tenure.
November 28: Inspiring fightback
The El Clasico win was not actually the highlight of their season-high unbeaten run of 11 matches, including seven straight wins.
Their 2-1 comeback win over Sevilla was the most prominent, in which they came into the Bernabeu at the top three. Benzema’s 32nd minute tap-in leveled Rafa Mir’s opener, with Vinicius’ rocket won it for Los Blancos, which gave them the much-needed breather…
April 17, 2022: Comeback part 2, in Sevilla
Fast forward to that day, Real Madrid are firmly in control, and they do not mind about being at the wrong end of an El Clasico rout at the Bernabeu which ended an eight-match unbeaten run.
However, they’ve won back-to-back ahead of their trip to Sevilla, where a win will put them one hand in reclaiming the trophy. But it was not a walk in the park as the hosts were 2-0 up at the break, thanks to a blitz by Rakitic and Lamela.
But when sub Rodrygo pulled one back for Madrid, there was no turning back for them. Nacho duly equalized in the 82nd minute, and skipper Benzema took all the points in stoppage time.
April 30: Coronation with a capital C
Madrid’s comeback in Sevilla gave the thumbs up for their royal coronation at the Bernabeu, which was made easier thanks to Barcelona’s embarrassing defeats on their own patch at the hands of lowly Cadiz and Rayo Vallecano.
A first-half Rodrygo brace paved the way for a 4-0 rout of Espanyol to claim their record-extending 35th title, as Marco Asensio and Benzema found the net to complete the beatdown
As soon as Marcelo and Benzema received and lifted the trophy, the celebrations were already underway.
