Agencies

Madrid clinched its 34th Spanish league title and first since 2017 after extending its perfect run following the pandemic break with a 2-1 win over Villarreal on Thursday, opening a seven-point gap to second-place Barcelona with one round to go. Barcelona lost to 10-man Osasuna at the Camp Nou Stadium.

Karim Benzema scored twice to give Madrid its 10th consecutive league victory. It was the only team with a perfect record after the coronavirus enforced break, having trailed Barcelona by two points before the league was halted.

�This is one of the best days in my life professionally,� said Zidane, who also won the Champions League and World Cup as a player. �It�s another league title, after the confinement and everything else that happened. I wish we could celebrate with the fans, but I�m sure they are very happy at home seeing their team win the league again.�