Atlético Madrid Win La Liga Title, Barcelona Ends Empty Handed Season
La Liga season came to an extraordinary end with a match fit for a final, when Atlético Madrid won it all against a Barcelona team that ended a disappointing run with no trophies.
Diego Simeone’s team followed their win in the Copa de Rey final last year with a brilliant 2013-2014 campaign, marking one of the first times in recent memory that neither Real Madrid nor Barca took the Spanish league title.
It’s been a long road for Atlético fans. As a matter of fact, it’s been almost 20 years since the last time their club won La Liga. Not since 1995-1996 season had “Los Rojiblancos” followers been able to celebrate winning it all. There could be another title coming if they are able to pull off a win against Real in the UEFA Champions League final in Lisbon.
Things are good indeed for Atlético Madrid, which fought like a lion to stay in contention all year long and when the two strongest teams faltered. However, they were ready to pounce and never let go.
For weeks it seemed that the usual suspects (Real or Barca) would be crowned champions. After all, they both have the top two football players in the world in their rosters: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Atlético never gave up and on Saturday they only needed a draw to win La Liga at Camp Rou. They got the job done with a header from Uruguayan Diego Godín (49th minute) after Barca’s Sanchez Alexis scored in the 33rd minute.
The feat is so incredible that, after the final whistle, even the loyal and proud Barcelona fans started to applaud the new champions, Atlético Madrid.
Atletico Madrid stun Barcelona, win first La Liga title in 18 years. @dermotmcorrigan http://t.co/MDSTpxpX13 pic.twitter.com/hKBUughixi
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 17, 2014
Celebratory Atletico Madrid dressing room picture pic.twitter.com/WgUUFDGEZc
— 101 Great Goals (@102greatgoals) May 17, 2014
Atletico Madrid win La Liga title after holding Barcelona to draw. http://t.co/U5zecxT0GI pic.twitter.com/tNserAUVyO
— theScore (@theScore) May 17, 2014
Atletico Madrid win La Liga for the first time since 1996 after drawing 1-1 with Barcelona! pic.twitter.com/eZCkg1iThd
— NOW TV Sport (@NOWTVSport) May 17, 2014
Atlético Madrid finished the season 3 points ahead of Barcelona and the final match marked the third time in La Liga history that two contenders played the last game with the title on the line.
A fitting end for one of the best La Liga seasons in recent memory. Now Atlético Madrid need to quickly change gears to focus on another very important title: The UEFA Champions League trophy, which they have not won in 50 years.
[Image via Twitter]
