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.
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.
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