Girona scored an impressive 4-2 win over Catalan rivals Barcelona to give Real Madrid their 36th Spanish league title.
Real Madrid claimed a “deserved” La Liga title with a 3-0 win over Cadiz, coach Carlo Ancelotti said, and Girona secured that title with a stunning 4-2 victory over Barcelona.
Ancelotti’s side did their homework by beating Cadiz and after last season’s champions stumbled against Girona, Los Blancos were crowned champions for the 36th time on Saturday – a new record.
Girona’s dramatic victory saw the Catalan minnows qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history, in just their fourth season in Spain’s top flight.
Ancelotti changed heavily ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, but his players still got the job done.
Brahim Diaz netted in the 51st minute to give Madrid the lead and then set up Jude Bellingham while Joselu scored the third.
🙌 WE ARE THE LALIGA 2023/24 CHAMPIONS! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Yo5QFw3SUO
— Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 4, 2024
“We had a spectacular league season,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“We made few mistakes and the advantage is deserved.”
Madrid’s comfortable win over Cadiz gave them a 14-point lead over last season’s champions Barcelona, who are in third place, with just 12 points remaining.
Girona, second after their second 4-2 win over Barcelona this season, are 13 points behind Madrid.
“We leave our skins out on the pitch to experience moments like this,” Madrid striker Joselu told Real Madrid TV.
“There are young players who are very hungry for titles, veterans who are happy to be here… and these are special moments.”
🏆🤍 @realmadriden are crowned CHAMPIONS of #LALIGAEASPORTS with 4 game days to play! pic.twitter.com/0N5iQQxEjm
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 4, 2024
Champions League music at the Montilivi Stadium in Girona
Los Blancos could celebrate after Girona twice came from behind to beat Barcelona in a wild duel to finish in second place.
Barca took the lead after three minutes through a fine volley from Andreas Christensen, but La Liga’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk equalized just a minute later with his 20th goal of the season.
Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead with a penalty after Lamine Yamal fell to the ground, but substitute Portu made a big impact for Girona in the second half.
Michel Sanchez’s team scored twice within two minutes and turned the game on its head. Portu equalized shortly after coming on and then set up Miguel Gutierrez to give Girona the lead.
Portu sensationally slotted home the fourth ball, revving up Girona’s tiny Montilivi Stadium and getting the party started.
“The players have written their names in Girona’s history books. What we’ve done this year is incredible,” Sanchez said.
Girona played Champions League music over the stadium sound system to give their fans a taste of what’s to come.
“I want to play against Liverpool, I want to have a historic giant here, there are many of them, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter.”
“It’s incredible to look at your shirt and experience that. There is nothing better than living this,” an emotional Portu told DAZN as tears streamed down his face.
“This club was a thorn in my side. A few years ago I experienced the other side, relegation, and I felt very responsible because I played a lot. Today I made amends with the fans and can smile again.”
Thirdly, the summer for Barcelona will be more about self-reflection than dreaming.
“It’s a shame, we drown in every negative situation,” Barcelona coach Xavi said after Barcelona lost their title.
“So it’s impossible to keep up.”