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Real Madrid’s dominant performance and 2-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday were not enough to win La Liga, following Barcelona’s 3-0 victory at Granada.
Two Cristiano Ronaldo goals made sure they ended the season in style at the Estadio Riazor, but a hat-trick from Luis Suarez gave the Blaugrana a 24th La Liga title.
Real went into the game a point behind their eternal rivals, who kicked off at the same time, and Zinedine Zidane made his intentions clear with a strong starting line up; Los Blancos showed they meant business from the off.
It didn’t take long for Ronaldo to net his 50th goal of the campaign, a figure he has reached in each of the last six seasons, tapping in from close range following link up with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema just eight minutes in.
The ‘BBC’ had not played together in almost a month, but their chemistry was as clear as ever; the visitors’ exploitation of the wide areas, against a Depor side content in defending deep, was a key factor in their impressive first half display.
Moments later Sergio Ramos failed to make it 2-0, misjudging a free header following a Toni Kroos corner, and yet Ronaldo obliged in an almost identical circumstances after 25 minutes.
His header took a deflection, but the hosts poor defending from set pieces was once again glaringly exposed.
Other than a long hopeful ball towards top scorer Lucas Perez and a shot wide from Fede Cartabia, the hosts offered little going forward.
Ronaldo was most definitely in the mood, hitting the woodwork twice, first the post after springing the offside trap and then skimming the bar from Marcelo’s pass.
Both opportunities sandwiched a great save from Stipe Pletikosa, who impressed throughout, after Benzema’s close-range shot.
The game’s subplot, Ronaldo’s race with Suarez for the Pichichi, was cut short at half-time when James Rodriguez replaced the Portuguese star at half time, with the Blaugrana frontman well clear.
Depor began to express themselves a little more after the break, with Perez, who has netted 17 goals this term, Fede and Pablo all making inroads on the returning Keylor Navas’ goal.
There were few problems for Real, though, who saw out the game despite taking their foot off the gas and now turn their attention to the Champions League final against city-rivals Atletico on May 28.
Deportivo, meanwhile, ended the campaign comfortably in 13th place.
