Suarez the difference-maker again as Atletico secure La Liga title

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By Conor Laird

Published: May 22, 2021 7:08 pm

Last Updated: May 22, 2021 7:18 pm

The La Liga title race came to a typically pulsating end this evening, with Atletico Madrid, when all was said and done, having done enough to get over the line.

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Suarez makes the difference

The vast majority of final round fixtures in the Spanish top-flight played out a short time ago.

The stakes remained high across the board ahead of the action getting underway, with the race for all of the title, European spots and survival having remained very much alive.

It was the La Liga crown, however, which understandably took centre stage in the pre-match chatter, amongst fans and media outlets alike.

This came with Madrid giants Atletico and Real having both remained in with a shot of clinching glory.

It was of course Diego Simeone’s Atleti who boasted the advantage ahead of the final day fixtures getting underway, having sat two points clear of champions Real in 2nd.

Tearful Luis Suarez calls out Barcelona as Atletico wrestle La Liga title away from Zidane and co.

Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian coach Diego Simeone looks on before the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) football match between Cultural and Deportiva Leonesa and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Reino de Leon stadium in Leon, on January 23, 2020. (Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP) (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)

And, when all was said and done, the Rojiblancos clung on to their advantage, to get the job done.

A chaotic chain of events unfolded at both the José Zorrilla and Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, as, incredibly, Atletico and Real headed into the interval a goal down.

Then, just when it appeared as though things had swung in the favour of the latter, a staggering turn of events saw Atleti put one hand on the La Liga trophy.

First, shortly before the h0ur mark, Karim Benzema nodded Real level versus Villarreal.

A lengthy VAR check, however, saw the Frenchman’s finish ruled out, almost at the exact moment that Angel Correa went on to bag an equaliser at Real Valladolid:

ANGEL CORREA SCORES FOR ATLETI! 😱

Atletico Madrid equalise and take another big step towards the LaLiga title 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/a0qrO6HZO1

— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021

Then, 10 minutes later, the evening’s telling moment was forthcoming.

After being slipped through one-on-one courtesy of a horror mistake at the back, Luis Suarez slotted home at the near post, completing the Atletico turnaround for the 2nd week running:

Luis Suarez scores the goal that could seal title glory for Atletico Madrid 🔴⚪🏆

Who else could it possibly have been? A potential LaLiga decider 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/qeLWGi49Vd

— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021

And though Real, in the end, mounted a late comeback to put Villarreal to the sword by two goals to one, the efforts of Zinedine Zidane and co. proved to be in vain, as the La Liga title heads to the red and white half of the Spanish capital for the first time since 2014.

‘Didn’t value me’

On the back of the action coming to a close, meanwhile, the name of one player in particular has understandably taken centre stage in the spotlight.

The individual in question? Luis Suarez.

Having of course been forced out of Barcelona just last summer amid an attempted clearout at the Camp Nou, Uruguayan hitman Suarez went on to play an absolutely integral role for Atletico over the months since.

His latest strike this evening – Suarez’s 21st of the La Liga campaign – proved the decisive goal in clinching the title, with the ex-Liverpool man, in turn, having allowed his emotions to flow on the José Zorrilla pitch.

Speaking through tear-filled eyes during a post-match interview, Suarez called out Barcelona, before revealing his gratitude to Atleti for taking a chance on his talents last summer:

Luis Suarez in tears after winning the title: “Barcelona didn’t value me… they underestimated me and Atletico opened their doors to give me an opportunity. I will always be grateful to this club for trusting in me”. ⚪️🔴 #Atleti @dermotmcorrigan pic.twitter.com/npYjJ7DT1t

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2021