Godín heads Atlético to Liga title

Club Atlético de Madrid are champions of Spain for a tenth time after the UEFA Champions League finalists fought back to earn a 1-1 draw away to FC Barcelona in the final game of the season.

Trailing Diego Simeone's side by three points, Barça knew only a victory would suffice at the Camp Nou if they were to retain their Liga title. Gerardo Martino's men duly struck first, Alexis Sánchez smashing Lionel Messi's chested pass high past Thibaut Courtois in the 33rd minute.

Atlético – champions last in 1995/96 – held their nerve despite losing both Diego Costa and Arda Turan to injuries before falling behind. Their persistence was rewarded shortly after the break when Diego Godín rose to head Koke's corner into the net.

Both sides went in search of a winner thereafter and, after surviving a late Barcelona flourish, Los Colchoneros held on to secure a point that delivered them the Spanish title. "We demonstrated that we deserved to win the league; we were really up for this game," said captain Gabi. "We always believed in ourselves. It's great pride being part of this team and we would like to dedicate the title to all of those connected to Atlético."

In the day's earlier game, third-placed Real Madrid CF ended their 2013/14 domestic campaign with a 3-1 victory at home against RCD Espanyol. Atlético's UEFA Champions League final opponents – deprived of Cristiano Ronaldo who suffered a reported hamstring strain in the warm-up – took the lead in the 64th minute when Gareth Bale accepted Karim Benzema's through pass before firing his 14th top-flight goal in off the upright.

Álvaro Morata subsequently came on to replace Benzema – the French international leaving the field with an apparent abductor muscle problem – and the 21-year-old added two goals from close range either side of Pizzi's 90th-minute effort for the visitors.