Real snatch dramatic win to take Spanish title

BEIJING, May 5 -- Real Madrid fought their way back after a sending off and going a goal down to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory at Osasuna and win their 31st Spanish league title on Sunday.

With Villarreal beating Getafe 2-0 in an earlier match, Real had to win the game to retain the championship but suffered a major setback when defender Fabio Cannavaro was dismissed at the start of the second half.

Real looked to be in even more trouble when Osasuna midfielder Patxi Punal struck home from the penalty spot after center-back Gabriel Heinze had handled in the area with eight minutes to go.

But Dutch winger Arjen Robben equalised in the 87th, heading in after Gonzalo Higuain whipped a free kick into the area and the Argentine struck the winner when he lashed past Ricardo a minute from the final whistle.

With three matches left to play, Real have an unassailable 10-point lead over Villarreal at the top of the table. It is the first time they have won back-to-back league titles since they won five in a row between 1986 and 1990.

"This team demonstrated that it has guts, determination... everything," Real president Ramon Calderon told Canal Plus television.

"This team can never be written off and they won the title in heroic fashion. Winning the title two years in a row is a huge achievement."

Real coach Bernd Schuster said he was delighted to have won his first major trophy as a coach.

"It was like one of those American sports films when you have to fight and suffer but you eventually get a happy ending," said the German.

"We are going to enjoy the moment, celebrate with our fans back in Madrid and have a great time when we play Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Wednesday."

Villarreal made sure Real had to win the game by beating Getafe 2-0 at home, Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci scoring both goals with neat finishes either side of halftime.

The victory meant that Manuel Pellegrini's side retain their four-point advantage over Barcelona in the race for second place.

The Catalans hammered a beleaguered Valencia 6-0 at the Nou Camp, to record their first win in six games.

France striker Thierry Henry and youngster Bojan Krkic scored two goals apiece while Lionel Messi weighed in with a penalty and Xavi with a fine 20-metre drive.

Valencia, who have lost five of their last six league games, remain just two points above the relegation zone.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)