Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was booed by the majority of a sparse home crowd as he ended his controversial three-year spell in charge with a 4-2 win over CA Osasuna.
Champions Barcelona rounded off their campaign with a 4-1 win over Malaga to match Real’s league record of 100 points from last season on the final day.
Mourinho’s name was met with a chorus of whistles when it was read out before the kick-off, but he did receive support from a small group of the club’s ultra fanbase who chanted his name throughout.
The 50-year-old, widely expected to return to Chelsea, did not appear at the post-match news conference, leaving veteran defender Alvaro Arbeloa to have the final say on the controversial manager.
“We respect his decision, the club’s too, and wish him well. We all know that we have taken a major leap in competitiveness and we knew we could have achieved a lot, but due to small details or bad luck it was not to be,” Arbeloa said. “He has had his successes and failures, as we have all had, but he gave his all and defended Real Madrid above everything.”
On the field, it looked as Mourinho would be given a good send-off as first-half goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Michael Essien gave Madrid a comfortable 2-0 lead.
However, Osasuna struck back with two goals in 11 minutes just after the restart through Roberto Torres and Alvaro Cejudo to level the score.
However, Mourinho was able to sign off with a win as further goals from Karim Benzema and Jose Maria Callejon ensured Real ended the season unbeaten at home in the league.
With the Portuguese’s appearance on the touchline for the final time the main attraction, the game even had to be stopped after barely a minute as photographers and cameramen spilled over onto the pitch.
Barcelona rounded off their championship winning season in style as a first-half blitz saw them dispose of Malaga 4-1 at the Camp Nou.
Goals from David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and Martin Montoya in the opening 16 minutes got the hosts off to the best possible start.
Andres Iniesta then made it 4-0 seven minutes into the second-half, before Pedro Morales got a consolation goal five minutes later.
Elsewhere, Real Sociedad qualified for the Champions League for the first time in a decade. Their 1-0 win over RC Deportivo de la Coruna, combined with Valencia’s 4-3 defeat at Sevilla, meant they claimed fourth place at the expense of Valencia.
Deportivo’s defeat also ensured that the Galicians were relegated as RC Celta de Vigo leapfrogged their rivals with a 1-0 win over RCD Espanyol.
Celta’s win meant that RCD Mallorca’s 4-2 victory over Valladolid was in vain as they too were relegated along with Real Zaragoza, who conceded three times in the final six minutes to lose 3-1 to Atletico Madrid and finish bottom of the table.
Valencia’s defeat meant that Sociedad just needed to win at the Riazor and Antoine Griezmann grabbed the only goal after 22 minutes.
Sociedad had to see out the final few minutes with just 10 men as Markel Bergara saw a second yellow card, but they held on to seal fourth spot.
Depor’s defeat meant that victory for any of the three sides below them at the beginning of the evening would see them relegated.
It was their Galician rivals Celta who took advantage as Natxo Insua’s 16th-minute goal was enough to give them a 1-0 win over Espanyol.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely