Football: Restrained celebrations in Madrid as Real capture La Liga title

Real Madrid ended their three-year wait for the Spanish La Liga title following a 2-1 win at home to Villarreal on Thursday. Real secured their record 34th league crown as Karim Benzema scored twice to give Madrid their 10th consecutive La Liga victory. It was Real’s first league title since Cristiano Ronaldo left to join Juventus two seasons ago, and the first since head coach Zinedine Zidane returned from a short break. Fans watched the match in bars and cafes in the Spanish capital - with no supporters currently allowed into football stadia in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic - and celebrated on the streets of Madrid afterwards. More than 300 police officers had to be present at the famous Plaza de Cibeles to discourage fans from gathering in large numbers due to COVID-19 protocols.