Real Win Title.

[Jockstar]

Real win 30th title in heart-stopping finale

MADRID, June 17 (Reuters) - Real Madrid ended their four-year trophy drought when they won the league title for the 30th time after a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

The nine-times European champions topped the final standings by virtue of a better head-to-head record against arch-rivals Barcelona, whose 5-1 victory at already relegated Gimnastic Tarragona was to no avail.

For over an hour the title looked to have slipped from Real Madrid's grasp as they trailed to a 17th-minute strike from Mallorca's Fernando Varela, while Barcelona overpowered Gimnastic.

But Real produced their by now customary late show to storm back to a 3-1 win and snatch the title from Barcelona's grasp in a match that marked the final appearances of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

Jose Antonio Reyes equalised a minute after coming on for Beckham and Mahamadou Diarra put Real ahead and back on top of the standings when his close-range header bounced off Mallorca's Angelos Basinas and over the line 10 minutes from time.

Reyes made sure of the victory four minutes later with a great strike from the edge of the area to spark wild celebrations among the 76,000 fans at the Bernabeu.

[Jockstar]

Real win 30th title in heart-stopping finale

MADRID, June 17 (Reuters) - Real Madrid ended their four-year trophy drought when they won the league title for the 30th time after a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

DenisDoyle/GettyImages

The party begins at the Bernabeu

Substitute Jose Reyes Antonio was Real's hero, equalising a minute after coming on in the second half and putting the icing on the cake with a spectacular third seven minutes from time.

The nine-times European champions topped the final standings by virtue of a better head-to-head record against arch-rivals Barcelona, whose 5-1 victory at already relegated Gimnastic Tarragona was to no avail.

For over an hour the title looked to have slipped from Real's grasp as they trailed to a 17th-minute strike from Mallorca's Fernando Varela, while Barca overpowered Gimnastic.

But Real produced their customary late show, including a headed goal by Mahamadou Diarra, to storm back to victory and snatch the title from Barcelona's grasp.

"This team has recovered its spirit, this was a fantastic victory," Real coach Fabio Capello told reporters.

The match marked the final appearances of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos, who signed off with a championship medal in front of 76,000 adoring fans at the Bernabeu.

Mallorca gave Real an almighty scare with barely a minute on the clock when striker Juan Arango hit the base of the post with a low shot after stealing a march on defender Sergio Ramos.

Real paid the price for their shaky start soon after when Varela put Mallorca in front with a low shot past Iker Casillas after Arango slid a perfect pass behind the static back four.

The Mallorca goal meant Barca were top of the table and the Catalans consolidated their advantage when they went a goal up after Carles Puyol slid the ball home at the near post after Lionel Messi had squared a neat pass into his path.

Real suffered another setback when leading scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy was forced off in the 32nd minute after appearing to pull a hamstring as he ran towards goal.

Barcelona, meanwhile, went 3-0 up by the break with goals from Messi and Ronaldinho.

Real struggled to respond at the Bernabeu and the restless crowd called on Fabio Capello to introduce playmaker Guti to give the side more control in midfield.

Capello did just that at the start of the second half but his side continued to live dangerously with a succession of last-ditch tackles stopping Mallorca adding to their lead.

The game was turned on its head shortly after Reyes replaced Beckham, who limped off midway through the second half.

The former Arsenal player equalised a minute later when he fired in from close range after some dazzling footwork by Robinho and Gonzalo Higuain on the right side of the area.

The Bernabeu burst into life after Reyes's goal and Real were back on top of the table 12 minutes later when Diarra, called back from international duty with Mali, sent a header bouncing off Mallorca's Angelos Basinas and across the line.

Reyes made sure of victory four minutes later with a great strike from the edge of the area to spark wild celebrations at the Bernabeu as Madrid finished on 76 points from 38 matches to snatch the Primera Liga title from Barcelona.

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Beckham ecstatic with victorious Real farewell

David Beckham was a happy man after signing off from Real Madrid with the Primera Liga title.

David Beckham

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David Beckham takes the adulation

Real came from a goal down to beat Real Mallorca 3-1 and pip Barcelona - 5-1 winners at Gimnastic - to the title on goal difference.

Beckham was replaced by on-loan Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes in the 66th minute - and the move proved to be a masterstroke as within two minutes of his arrival Reyes drew Madrid level.

Reyes wrapped up the win after an Angelos Basinas own goal had edged Real ahead, clinching the 30th Primera Liga title in the club's history.

And Beckham said afterwards: 'I couldn't have dreamt it any better. It's been about winning the title for the last six months - and we've deserved it tonight.

'It's been an incredible experience - but all I remember now is the great things. Winning this tonight now puts to bed everything else.'

The 32-year-old, who now joins Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy, was delighted his family could experience the occasion at the Bernabeu tonight.

He added on Sky Sports News: 'It's amazing to have my family here. They have been with me for four years in Spain and they've been through the ups and downs - and they've felt the euphoria tonight.

'It meant the world to have everyone that supported me throughout my career - my whole family, my wife, my mum and dad, my sister and children. It's incredible.'

But tonight was not without pain for Beckham, who has struggled with an injury to his left ankle picked up playing for England last week.

He added: 'I felt it snap again - there was a lot of pain.'

Roberto Carlos, in contrast, ended 11 years at the Bernabeu with more than 500 games under his belt, four league titles and three European Cups.

The Brazilian won his first league title for Real a decade ago in Fabio Capello's first spell as coach of the Spanish giants.

'You have to enjoy a moment like this, but I think I'll be crying later when I speak to my family ' said the 34-year-old Brazilian who has signed a two-year deal with Turkish side Fenerbahce.

'I hope the Bernabeu will always be like this, this was a very important title for the club.'