As it happened: Real Madrid crowned champions after victory at home to Villarreal

That's it for VAVEL UK's coverage of this LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid and Villarreal - we hope you enjoyed it!

Stay tuned on the site for more live coverage and further analysis and reaction to all top-flight matches for the remainder of the season.

 

Captain Sergio Ramos is handed the LaLiga title, walks across to his teammates and the celebrations begin in Madrid. Ten consecutive victories after the restart lifted Los Blancos up to the summit of the table and  they couldn't be caught and are now celebrating their 34th league title. Strange circumstances with no supporters there to celebrate with.

This is a Real Madrid team full of young talent, this team will take some beating next season, especially with experienced world-class players all across the pitch as well. Zinedine Zidane has done a terrific job with the team this season, guiding the team to their first league title in three years.

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Talking to reporters after the victory, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos expressed his delight at winning the LaLiga title and admitted that he wants to retire with the Spanish giants. The centre-half has been a leader and a focal point for Zidane's side for a long time and has won his fifth league title with the team, the second as the captain of Los Blancos.

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Real Madrid have clinched their tenth-consecutive victory since the restart and have secured the LaLiga title for the 34th time and their first since 2017.

Karim Benzema scored in either half to secure three points at home to Villarreal and the celebrations can now start at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Marco Asensio has the ball in the back of the net, but the referee rules out the goal for a handball in the build-up by Karim Benzema.

Incredible scenes in stoppage time as Madrid manage to see through another worrying passage. A cross comes into the box from the right, Courtois pushes the ball wide of the danger area, then makes a terrific save to deny Bruno with his legs and then Iborra prods wide from close range.

Villarreal are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position as Casemiro is penalised for handball. Ontiveros curls over the wall and Courtois punches the ball clear.

90' There will be six minutes of additional time at the end of the second-half. Real Madrid are now just six minutes away from being crowned LaLiga champions for the first time in three years.

Villarreal go within inches of equalising in Madrid and they have their heads in their hands. A corner comes into the box and drops around the penalty spot, Sofian is the quickest to reacts and strikes a glorious opportunity over the crossbar.

Trio of substitutions made by Zidane ahead of the closing stages of the game. Federico Valverde, Lucas Vázquez and Isco come on for Luka Modrić, Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos.

This makes things interesting now as the visitors have pulled a goal back with the best part of 10 minutes remaining, including stoppage time. Gaspar's cross is headed home by Iborra and even though the celebrations are muted, it's game on in Madrid.

Villarreal make a substitution as Manu Trigueros replaces André-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

 

Cazorla's pass is intercepted by Kroos, who takes a touch before unleashing a phenomenal strike at goal. The goalkeeper is rooted to the spot and can only watch the ball cannon off the crossbar. Asensio reacts quickly with the follow-up, but his header is caught by Asenjo.

No mistake with the second attempt, Karim Benzema dispatches the penalty into the bottom left corner of the net, terrific spot-kick from the Frenchman, who is now just one goal behind Lionel Messi in the race for the LaLiga golden boot. That's surely the three points in the bag with just over 10 minutes to play. The referee calls for a drinks break after the goal.

Sergio Ramos rolls the ball forward from the penalty spot and Karim Benzema strikes home, but the Frenchman is in the box before his captain even touched the ball. The spot-kick will be retaken and it's now Benzema that will take it.

The hosts break out quickly and it's led by Sergio Ramos, who wins the ball at the halfway line and drives forward. He touches the ball past Sofian Chakla and goes down under contact. Real Madrid have a chance to double their lead at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Javi Ontiveros with a chance from around the edge of the Madrid penalty area, but his low shot is gathered by Courtois.

68' Courtois is back on his feet after a lengthy delay and the Real club doctors are waiting behind the goal to see if the goalkeeper is okay to continue. Quintilla was racing into the box and his legs collided with the head of the Madrid shot-stopper.

Lionel Messi has scored for Barcelona, who are now level at the Camp Nou and keep their (slim) title hopes alive. They need to score again and are relying on Villarreal to pick up a point or more to take the title race into the final matchday.

The visitors also make a substitution after that double change for Madrid. Vicente Iborra comes on in place of Manu Morlanes.

Zidane makes a double change with just under a half-hour to play in Madrid. Marco Asensio and Vinícius Júnior come on for Eden Hazard and Rodrygo.

62' Luka Modric is shown a yellow card for a foul on Ontiveros, but the free-kick in a good position comes to nothing. Both sides are about to make substitutions.

60' Just half-an-hour to play at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano and Real Madrid are well on their way to securing their 34th LaLiga title. Villarreal have opened up a bit more in this second-half, but the hosts are still well in control.

First real opening of the second-half for either side and Madrid are denied a second goal. Modric slips the ball to Carvajal, who comes back onto his left foot before forcing a good save from Asenjo.

50' Real looking really comfortable here. Los Blancos control the possession and pass the ball around as they patiently build up an attack. As it stands, Zidane's side are seven points ahead of Barcelona and they'd secure their first title since 2017.

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46' Villarreal have made a double substitution at half-time. Bruno and Javi Ontiveros have replaced Rubén Peña and Samuel Chukwueze for the second-half.

Real Madrid get the game restarted for the second-half and they're just 45 minutes away from securing the LaLiga title.

 

A dominant first-half from Los Blancos, who took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Karim Benzema fired the home side ahead. Villarreal started to come out of their shells after the drinks break, but Real closed out the half on the front foot and are ahead at the break.

As it stands, Zinedine Zidane's side will be crowned champions with a victory, despite the result elsewhere. as Barcelona are trailing 1-0 at half-time to Osasuna at the Camp Nou.

45' There will be three minutes of additional time at the end of the first-half.

42' It's been a really comfortable first-half so far for Real Madrid, who are still ahead and threatening. Villarreal haven't offered much at all going forward, but could introduce a number of attacking-minded players in the second-half - like captain Santi Cazorla.

30' The referee has called for a drinks break at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Los Blancos are deservedly ahead in the first-half and could quite easily have been more than one goal ahead.

Villarreal are punished and the home side take a deserved lead in the game. Casemiro finds Modric, who slots a delightful pass through to Benzema and the Frenchman fires the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper and into the net!

23' That's the first time Villarreal have ventured into the opposition box in this game. Chukwueze gets the ball at his feet, but Casemiro is quick to stop the danger and play the ball out from the back.

18' First yellow card of the game has been shown. Sofian Chakla is booked for a foul on Eden Hazard.

Update from the game at the Camp Nou and FC Barcelona are behind early on against Osasuna.

Karim Benzema feeds the ball into the feet of Luka Modric, who takes a touch before striking at goal and drawing an excellent save from Sergio Asenjo.

Villarreal almost punished for trying to play out from deep in their own half. Casemiro picks up the interception and floats a pass over the back line. Karim Benzema volleys across goal and narrowly wide of the far post. It looked as if the Frenchman was in two minds there - whether to shoot or cross.

11' Madrid pressing high and showing their intentions early on. The ball ricochets on the edge of the Villarreal box and Casemiro tries his luck from long range, but strikes high over the crossbar.

Another good move forward from Los Blancos as Luka Modrić finds a lot of space out on the right and crosses low into the box. Madrid's top-scorer Karim Benzema guides his first-time shot at goal, but Sergio Asenjo makes a comfortable save.

First sight of goal for the home side as Dani Carvajal gets down the right side and tries to loft his shot over the 'keeper, who backtracks and manages to gather the effort.

Villarreal get the game underway, kicking right to left in the first-half. A huge evening of football ahead in LaLiga, Real Madrid could secure the league title.

It could be a historic evening at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano as Real Madrid know a victory over Villarreal would secure their 34th LaLiga title. They currently sit four points ahead of Barcelona, who play Osasuna at home tonight, with two games remaining.

 

Since the return of LaLiga, Real Madrid haven't played their home games at the Bernabeu, but at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

 

 

 

Villarreal have made six changes to the side that lost to Real Sociedad at home. Javier Calleja brings Mario Gasper, Xavi Quintillà, Sofian Chakla, Samuel Chukwueze, Manu Morlanes and Gerard into the starting line-up in place of Raúl Albiol, Alberto Moreno, Manu Trigueros, Santi Cazorla, Javi Ontiveros and Fer Niño.

 

Zinedine Zidane has made two changes to the side that beat Granada at the weekend. Eden Hazard makes his return to the starting XI in place of Federico Valverde, while Brazilian forward Rodrygo replaces Isco.

That's all for now, but check back an hour or so before kick-off for the confirmed starting line-up's from this LaLiga Santander clash between Real Madrid and Villarreal at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

If you want to watch the game live on TV, you can watch it on FreeSports on Freeview channel 64, Sky channel 422 or on Virgin Media channel 533.

If you want to follow along on the internet, VAVEL UK is your best option!

 

"We will have to wait for our chances," Javier Calleja told the official Villarreal CF website. "We will need to defend well and make the most of the opportunities we get. We will need to be ready to dig in, to perform well and make them uncomfortable during the tie."

Talking about securing a place in Europe next season, Calleja added: "We're there, close to getting to the Europa League and being back among the best. Hopefully every year we can play games like that to try and extend our reach.

"We would like to seal it against Real Madrid. We're going to compete with no fear and we're not giving up anything."

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"We have to focus all our energy on the game, nothing else," said Zidane in his press conference.

"There is a lot of talk but all the players and everyone who works at the club are only thinking about the game. Nobody knows what will happen until it happens."

Speaking of his teams desire to win the title, Zidane added: "It was something quite particuar that when we started to work again after lockdown and after three months at home, the players had this desire to do something great," said Zidane.

"I saw the players and they wanted something more, they were staying after training to do extra. That says everything you need to know about this team."

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Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos (C), Mendy; Modrić, Isco, Kroos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio

Villarreal: Asenjo; Gaspar, Albiol, Torres, Moreno; Chukwueze, Iborra, Anguissa, Cazorla (C); Moreno, Alcacer

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Real Madrid: W W W W W

Last Match: Won 2-1 vs Granada (A)

Villarreal: W W L W L

Last Match: Lost 2-1 vs Real Sociedad (H)

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Villarreal will be without Ramiro Funes Mori and Carlos Bacca remain on the sidelines with injury, while goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa is suspended for the game in Madrid.

Gerard Moreno and Vicente Iborra could both make their return to the starting line-up after serving one-match bans and striker Paco Alcacer is available after injury.

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Defenders Marcelo and Nacho both remain on the sideline through injury, while Luka Jović looks set to miss out on the game after coming into contact with a friend, who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Zidane is likely to make changes to the side that beat Granada, with changes possibly coming in the midfield. Eden Hazard, who was rested for the game at the weekend, could replace either Isco or Federico Valverde.

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Real Madrid and Villarreal faced each other back on matchday three and Zidane's side had to come from behind twice, with Gareth Bale scoring both goals before being sent off in stoppage time right at the end of the game.

With two games to go, Villarreal know a victory in either of those two games would all but secure their place in the Europa League group stages next season.

Getafe and Real Sociedad sit just three points behind Javier Calleja's side, who have won six of their nine games since the return of LaLiga.

Real Madrid go into Thursday nights game against Villarreal knowing a victory would secure the 2019-20 LaLiga title, their first league title in three seasons.

Zinedine Zidane's side have been in impeccable form since the return of the Spanish top-flight in June and nine consecutive victories have put Los Blancos in pole position with two games to go as they sit four points ahead of rivals FC Barcelona at the top of the table.

Madrid still have a job to do against a Villarreal side, who are still trying to secure European football themselves next season.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal will take place at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, Spain.

Kick-off is scheduled at 20:00 BST.

Welcome to VAVEL UK's LIVE coverage of the 2020 LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid and Villarreal.

My name is Andrew McDonnell and I'll be your host for this live text commentary of the game.

We will provide you with pre-game analysis, squad updates and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.