Luis Suarez scored a dramatic late winner as Atletico Madrid fought back to beat Osasuna 2-1 and put themselves on the verge of their first La Liga title in seven years.
Diego Simeone’s side now travel to Real Valladolid in their final game knowing that a win will clinch the title for them.
Ante Budimir’s header in the 75th minute put Osasuna in the lead as Atleti seemed to have thrown another opportunity of winning the league that they were comfortably on course to do so at one point in the season.
However, in a dramatic turnaround, Atleti found a way and dug deep to not only comeback but snatch the three crucial points that now puts them in pole position once again as they are the masters of their own destiny going into the last game of this year’s La Liga.
Luis Suarez celebrates his winning goal that could be the league decider. (Photo by DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Renan Lodi found the equaliser in the 82nd minute shortly before Suarez came to the rescue once again as he steered in Yannick Carrasco’s cross in the 88th minute to leave it late for the home side.
Both Atleti goals arrived in the final 10 minutes of a gripping contest given all that was at stake. Barcelona had bowed out of the title race after their loss to Celta de Vigo so that meant that only defending champions Real Madrid were left in Atleti’s way.
After Osasuna scored late on in the 75th minute, you could not help but feel as though they were going to have to surrender the top spot to their city rivals who are looking to retain their La Liga crown.
Real, who went on to win thanks to a Nacho Fernandez goal at Bilbao, were in pole position for the title with two minutes remaining in the Atleti game but Suarez had other ideas.
Simeone’s side, who have led the table since November and at one stage had a 10-point lead at the top, dominated throughout but failed to take advantage of so many chances.
Suarez hit the post and flashed a shot wide as the home team were relentless in creating chances. Osasuna faced an overwhelming 16 shots in the first half itself so in the end, you feel that justice was served with that last-gasp winner for the Madrid team.
The Spanish league title will remain in Madrid but will it be on the red side or white side is what remains to be seen. Do not miss the final day of La Liga with all to play for!
