Real Madrid secure La Liga crown in style

Real Madrid sealed a first La Liga title in four years last night after cruising to a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early spot-kick before Jose Mourinho’s side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain after 16 minutes. Mesut Ozil made it two four minutes later before Ronaldo wrapped it up with a third early in the second half.

Earlier Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to break the record for most goals scored in a European season as Barcelona recorded a convincing 4-1 win over Malaga.

Carles Puyol fired Pep Guardiola’s side in front at the Nou Camp, only for that lead to be cancelled out by Jose Salomon Rondon.

But Messi scored twice from the penalty spot before wrapping up his treble with a low drive to take his tally to 68 goals for the campaign, passing the previous European mark of 67 set by Gerd Muller in 1972/73.

In the Netherlands, Ajax retained the Eredivisie title with a 2-0 victory over VVV-Venlo last night. The hosts came into the match with a six-point lead over nearest challengers Feyenoord and needing just a point to wrap up the championship.

Two goals from Siem de Jong saw Ajax home, rendering Feyenoord’s 4-1 demolition of Heracles Almelo futile.

In Italy, Lecce sub Andrea Bertolacci’s late equaliser saw Juventus’ lead over AC Milan cut to one point with two games left to play. As Milan were cruising to a comfortable 2-0 home win over Atalanta, Juventus were dramatically held 1-1 at home by Lecce.