Real Madrid clinched its 36th Spanish league title, extending its record, by securing a commanding 13-point lead over second-place Girona with four games left.
Madrid sealed the deal by defeating Cadiz 3-0, while Barcelona’s 4-2 loss to Girona confirmed Madrid’s triumph.
Madrid, having also advanced to the Champions League semifinals, faces Bayern Munich in a crucial match after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. The winner will meet either Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund in the final on June 1.
Girona’s victory over Barcelona pushed the Catalan club into third place, trailing Madrid by 14 points.
Carlo Ancelotti shuffled his lineup ahead of the match against Bayern, with only Nacho Fernández retaining his starting spot from the first leg.
Madrid has lost only once in 34 league matches, defeating Barcelona twice and dominating Girona in their encounters.
Brahim Díaz scored for Real Madrid against Cadiz at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, shooting from outside the box into the top corner in the 51st minute.
Jude Bellingham, who has been a standout player this season, scored the second goal in the 68th minute, shortly after coming on as a substitute. This was his 19th league goal of the season. Joselu Mato scored the third goal in injury time.
Barcelona coach Xavi’s team faced a double setback, as Madrid won the title due to Barcelona’s loss, and Girona moved into second place with another big win in the Catalan derby.
Girona secured a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League by opening up a 13-point lead over Athletic Bilbao in fifth place. If Girona maintains second place, it could prevent Barcelona from qualifying for the lucrative Spanish Super Cup.
