Real Madrid ended their title-winning season with a 2-2 draw with Leganes, handing their city rivals a heartbreaking relegation in the process.
You can tell from their early performances that Real have spent a good part of the last week celebrating their 34th title, but they didn’t have much time to shake off their Sunday evening hangover and start the after-party. felt
With less than ten minutes on the clock Sergio Ramos continued his astonishing goalscoring campaign, rising highest to head in a free-kick for his 11th La Liga strike.
9′ | 0-1 |
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL from @SergioRamos!#LeganesRealMadrid | #FIFA20 pic.twitter.com/tId1H0tKiL
— Real Madrid CF (34?) (@realmadrid) July 19, 2020
Leganes were fighting for their lives, however, and after gathering their composure, they took the game to the champions. Before the break, we were treated to a brilliant strike from Brian Gill, low, left-footed, and just beyond the reach of Thibaut Courtois.
The hosts needed a win to stand any chance of survival, but there was only so much they could do against Zinedine Zidane’s powerhouse, and they were dealt a killer blow shortly after the half-time break. Isco had chosen an opportune time to return to his best form, and selected Marco Asensio, who outpaced Ivan Cuellar to keep survival – seemingly – out of Leganes’ reach.
Asensio averages a goal or assist every 80 minutes in La Liga this season. [4 goal contributions in 321 minutes]. pic.twitter.com/E1DfAZKOvL
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) July 19, 2020
But then there was another twist. After three substitutions took Real out of their rhythm, Zidane tried to get half an hour’s worth of football from Brahm Diaz and Luka Jovic, with Roger Asalle finding an equalizer from close range. Jonathan Silva’s cross earned him his second assist of the night – he hadn’t registered that term in 37 games before.
The drama was not done there at all. Unai Bustinza and Javier Aviles both spurned chances to claim a historic win for the home side, before Real benefited from a VAR call when Jovic appeared to handle the ball in the box. Madrid’s Lonnie Oscar had a late chance, but the ball stayed out of the net.
Real finished the season on 87 points, and Leganes were relegated to La Liga 2.