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Atlético Madrid and Barcelona set up title decider as Real Madrid lose Atlético Madrid and Barcelona set up title decider as Real Madrid lose
(35 minutes later)
Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will play a La Liga title decider at the Nou Camp next weekend after leaders Atlético drew 1-1 at home to Málaga and second-placed Barça were held to a 0-0 stalemate at Elche on Sunday. Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will play a La Liga title decider at the Nou Camp next Sunday after the leaders Atlético drew 1-1 at home to Málaga and second-placed Barça were held to a 0-0 stalemate at Elche on Sunday.
On a day of nerve-jangling tension, when Atlético came desperately close to a late goal that would have clinched the championship, Real Madrid dropped out of the title race when they suffered a surprise 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo that left them five points behind their city rivals with one game remaining. Atlético are top on 89 points from 37 matches, with Barca on 86 and Real, who were missing key players through injury at Celta including top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, on 84.On a day of nerve-jangling tension, when Atlético came desperately close to a late goal that would have clinched the championship, Real Madrid dropped out of the title race when they suffered a surprise 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo that left them five points behind their city rivals with one game remaining. Atlético are top on 89 points from 37 matches, with Barca on 86 and Real, who were missing key players through injury at Celta including top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, on 84.
If Barça beat Atlético next Sunday they will be champions as they would have a better head-to-head record after the title rivals drew 0-0 at the Calderón in Madrid in January. A draw would be enough for Atlético to secure their first domestic league title since 1996, when current coach Diego Simeone was in the team, and become the first team other than Spain's wealthy big two to win La Liga since Valencia in 2004. If Barça beat Atlético next Sunday they will be champions as they would have a better head-to-head record after the title rivals drew 0-0 at the Calderón in Madrid in January. A draw would be enough for Atlético to secure their first domestic league title since 1996, when their current coach Diego Simeone was in the team, and become the first team other than Spain's wealthy big two to win La Liga since Valencia in 2004.
Samuel Sánchez gave Málaga a shock lead 25 minutes from time at Atlético's packed Calderón stadium, where the fans have been enjoying the club's best season in years. José Sosa levelled for the home side, who play Real in the Champions League final on May 24, in the 74th minute and Adrian came close to a winner in stoppage time but was denied by a brilliant save from Málaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero. Samuel Sánchez gave Málaga a shock lead 25 minutes from time at Atlético's packed Calderón stadium, where the fans have been enjoying the club's best season in years. José Sosa levelled for the home side, who play Real in the Champions League final on May 24, in the 74th minute and Adrian came close to a winner in stoppage time but was denied by a brilliant save from the Málaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
At Elche's Martinez Valero arena in Alicante, Barça created plenty of chances but as so often this season they failed to take them. Their bid for a fifth La Liga title in six seasons remains alive, however, despite consecutive draws as Atlético again failed to take advantage of Barça's stumble. At Elche's Martínez Valero arena in Alicante, Barça created plenty of chances but as so often this season they failed to take them. Their bid for a fifth La Liga title in six seasons remains alive, however, despite consecutive draws, as Atlético again failed to take advantage of their stumble.
Real's faint hopes of pipping Atlético and Barça to the title were extinguished when a Charles double either side of half-time condemned them to a defeat that ended their chances of a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble.Real's faint hopes of pipping Atlético and Barça to the title were extinguished when a Charles double either side of half-time condemned them to a defeat that ended their chances of a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble.