Inter and Barca win home Championships
Published 17 May, 2009, 13:39
After the success of Man United, two more top European football leagues were decided on Saturday as Barca claimed the Spanish crown and Inter Milan triumphed in Italy.
Villarreal hands over title to Catalonians
Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions after Villarreal beat title holders Real Madrid 3-2 and deprived them of the chance to retain their title.
The Madrid team knew only a win would keep their chances alive, but they conceded first, thanks to a header from veteran Robert Pires, 1-0.
![]() FC Barcelona's supporters celebrating the victory at Catalunya Square in Barcelona (AFP Photo / Lluis Gene) |
Real coach Juande Ramos, who admits he is unlikely to stay in charge next season, replaced Klaas-Jan Huntelaar with Gonzalo Higuain during the break.
The substitution worked, as the Argentinean set up Rafael van der Vaart’s equalizer in the first minute of the second half, 1-1.
The teams exchanged goals after that – Canis put the hosts back in front at 63 minutes, but Higuain equalized with two minutes to play.
Real needed a winner and went all out attack, but the Yellow Submarine caught them on the counter attack. Keeper Iker Casillas dropped the ball, allowing Capdevila to make it 3-2.
Catalonia started celebrations after the final whistle. Around 40,000 Barcelona fans gathered at Canaletes fountain on Las Ramblas, which is the traditional site for celebrating the club's victories.
Barcelona, considered the best team in the world by many, has won their 19th La Liga title and it was the team’s second trophy in four days, following their Kings Cup 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
They got a league and cup double for the first time since 1998 and can become the first Spanish side to win the treble if they can beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on May 27.
AC Milan loss grants Inter champions title
Inter Milan also didn’t need to go to the pitch to see themselves lift the champions trophy. Udinese helped them by beating second placed AC Milan 2-1.
Geatano D'Agostino scored from penalty to give Udinese the lead in the first half and Christian Zapata’s drop ball from close range made it 2-0 in the start of the second.
AC Milan only settled for a cancellation goal from Massimo Ambrosini, 2-1.
Inter has clinched the Serie A title for the fourth time in a row and Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho clinched the Scudetto in his first season in Italy.
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