La Liga wrap: Real confirm title win

A 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao sealed Real Madrid’s first La Liga title in four years on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho’s side entered the clash on a 20-match unbeaten run and they had little problems extending that against the Europa League finalists at Estadio San Memes.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a crucial part of Real Madrid’s success this season but he missed a 12th minute penalty when his effort was saved by the legs of Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.

Gonzalo Higuain scored a terrific goal just four minutes later though, as Real Madrid started to take control.

German midfielder Mesut Oezil then doubled the visitors’ lead on 20 minutes before Ronaldo sealed the victory with his 44th La Liga goal this season.

Athletic Bilbao had Javi Martinez sent off for a second yellow card with 17 minutes to play as Real cruised to a comfortable victory that ensured they won the Spanish title for the 32nd time.

The victory meant Mourinho has now won titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

Barcelona defeated Malaga 4-1 earlier in the day with striker Lionel Messi taking his goal tally for the season to an incredible 68.

Club captain Carles Puyol put Barcelona in front after just 13 minutes and although Salomon Rondon levelled proceedings, Messi stepped up to put Malaga to the sword.

The Argentine netted two penalties before scoring his third on 64 minutes to give him his seventh league hat-trick of the season.

Of Messi’s 68 goals in all competitions – which is a post-war record topping Gerd Muller’s 67 for Bayern Munich in 1973 – 46 have come in La Liga.

Valencia kicked three points ahead of Malaga in third thanks to a 4-0 success over Osasuna.

Scores were level until the 77th minute but late doubles to Aduriz and Jonas sealed Valencia’s important win.

In other results, a Beriat double gave Real Betis a 2-1 win at Sevilla while Real Zaragoza and Mallorca notched 1-0 wins over Levante and Rayo Vallecano respectively.

Wednesday’s other match saw Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad play out a 1-1 draw.