18 June 2007, by Sean Gillen

Late goals deny Deco and Barcelona La Liga title

Nunes injury significant as Real Madrid triumph

Barcelona’s hopes of a third consecutive Spanish championship were finally ended on Sunday as Real Madrid secured their first La Liga title in four years. As such Portugal midfielder Deco, like his former manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, are left without a national championship title for the first time in five seasons.

Outgoing champions Barca had to better Madrid’s result going into the last day of action, as they trailed the leaders on the head-to-head ruling. However, Real beat Mallorca 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to leave Barca frustrated.

Things may have been different if Mallorca’s Portuguese defender Jose Nunes had not gone off with a shoulder injury ten minutes before the break. Mallorca took a shock lead through Fernando Varela (17) and Nunes had been having an excellent game at the back before an awkward landing ended his evening.

Real fought back with three late goals, with substitute Jose Antonio Reyes equalising on 68 minutes, before a Basinas own goal (81) and a second for Reyes (83) sent the Bernabeu into raptures.

Thrashing in vain

Barca make easy work of their fixture, a trip to relegated Gimnastic. Deco took his place in midfield for Los Cules, who ran out 5-1 winners thanks to goals from Carles Puyol, Leo Messi (2), Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta. However, after winning a La Liga and Champions League double last season, Barca finish empty handed this year.

Third place Sevilla, who had an outside chance of landing the title if both rivals slipped up, went down to a 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal at home in their final match. Duda was an unused substitute for the Andalucians, who still have the Copa Del Rey final against Getafe next week.

Valencia finish in fourth and signed off with a 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad, who were relegated as a result. Neither Miguel nor Hugo Viana were in action for Los Ches.

Atletico Madrid’s season ended in huge disappointment as they missed out on a Uefa Cup place, despite a 2-1 win at Osasuna. Ze Castro, Maniche and Costinha all played the full ninety minutes for Los Rojiblancos, who finish 7th in La Liga.

Jorge Andrade’s final match for Deportivo ended with a win as the defender played in their 3-1 win at Espanyol. Recreativo ended a superb first season back in the top flight with a 1-1 draw against 6th place Zaragoza, with Roberto Beto playing the fill ninety minutes for Recre.

Celta Vigo were relegated despite a last-day victory over Getafe. Miguel Areias, who has barely featured since his January switch from Standard Liege, was not in the squad for the match.