5/26/2024–|Last updated: 5/26/202401:51 AM (Mecca time)
Champions Real Madrid ended their season with a disappointing goalless draw against their guest Real Betis on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on the farewell night of their German international midfielder Toni Kroos in the final 38th round of the Spanish Football League.
It is the second draw in a row for the Royal Club in the league after the first against its host Villarreal 4-4, in its last rehearsal before the final match of the Champions League competition next Saturday against German Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in the English capital, London.
Kroos, 34, announced last Tuesday that he would retire from playing after the European Cup, which his country will host this summer.
Kroos received great praise from the club’s fans, his teammates, and Real Betis players, after 10 seasons he spent in the Merengue ranks, where he won 22 titles, which may rise to 23 if they win the prestigious continental competition title for the 15th time in the club’s history.
The German star bid farewell to the Real Madrid fans and stadium in tears after the end of the match, amidst warm applause.
🌟Caesar, hero, @ToniKroosWhich will not be repeated!#LALIGAHighlights | #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/Nfi2D5YBnd
– LALIGA (@LaLigaArab) May 25, 2024
Atletico Madrid reconciles with its fans
The second pole of the capital, Atletico Madrid, satisfied its fans with a moral victory over its host Real Sociedad 2-0.
Atletico Madrid scored early through Brazilian defender Samuel Leno in the ninth minute, and Mozambican substitute Reyneldo Mandava added the second in the third minute of stoppage time, two minutes after his teammate Saul Nigues was sent off for receiving a second warning.
Atletico Madrid compensated for its humiliating loss at home to Osasuna 1-4 last Sunday, and concluded its season with its 24th victory, strengthening its position in fourth place with 76 points, while Real Sociedad suffered its tenth loss this season, freezing its score at 60 points.
The match was marginal, like all the matches of the stage, after it decided the European positions and the three clubs relegated to the second division.
Atletico Madrid secured fourth – last – place, qualifying for next season’s Champions League, and Real Sociedad secured sixth place, qualifying for the European League, “Europa League”.
Athletic Bilbao, fifth and champion of the King’s Cup, ended the season with a valuable victory outside its home base at the expense of host Rayo Vallecano with a single goal scored by its top scorer, Nico Williams, in the 67th minute, raising his score to 13 goals this season.