MADRID: Real Madrid were crowned La Liga champions for the 34th time just now after Karim Benzema scored two goals in a 2-1 win over Villarreal and won the title with one game remaining.

Benzema’s two goals included a controversial second-half penalty at Alfredo Stadium in Stefano as Madrid opened a seven-point gap and ended Barcelona’s two-season dominance.

Barca need to overtake Osasuna at home as they hope Madrid lose but their challenge ends with a 2-1 loss at the Camp Nou, despite Lionel Messi scoring through a free kick.

It means Madrid won their third La Liga title in eight years after a good performance since Spanish football resumed on June 11 after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zinedine Zidane’s squad has won 10 of 10 games since its inception.

They only conceded three goals and never missed a match.

“For me this is one of the best days of my professional career,” Zidane said. “After the curfew order and all that, it’s amazing.”