Real crowned as Spanish champs

Real Madrid clinched the Spanish championship in stunning style on Saturday night, with a 5-0 rout of UEFA Cup finalists Alaves.

It was Real who had the better start to the match pushing for an early goal to kick-start their championship winning celebrations. Striker Raul Gonzalez met a Figo cross at the near post on four minutes, but his glanced header flew inches wide.

The Basque visitors looked uncomfortable for most of the first half. The recent UEFA Cup defeat and the imminent departure of striker Javi Moreno to Inter Milan have clearly upset the Albiazules, who only mustered a couple of chances on the Madrid goal during the first 45 minutes.

Dan Eggen maybe could have done better after he was left free to smash a left foot volley over the bar on 11 minutes. But Alaves mainly suffered in defence without the sanctioned Cosmin Contra.

The fragility of the visitors' defence was highlighted in the 14th minute when Figo dribbled past three players into the Alaves box only to see his left foot shot rebound back into play off the left post. But Real were rewarded with their first goal after 21 minutes following some quick thinking from Fernando Hierro and neat passing that broke up Alaves' rear-guard.

Guti's through ball found an incoming Raul, who flicked the ball over 'keeper Martin Herrera into an empty net. Alaves' Dan Eggen was the victim of Real's opener, having to leave the pitch temporarily after clashing with the goalpost in an attempt to clear the ball off the line.

Real took full advantage and went 2-0 up as their opponents were reduced to 10 men. Raul's cross from the left wing was headed home by an unmarked Jose Maria Guti at the far post.

Five minutes into the second-half and the game was all over. Figo's corner from the right found skipper Hierro at the far post, who headed down inside the left post, 3-0 Real Madrid.

Figo was again instrumental in Real's fourth goal after 66 minutes. The Portuguese ace took the ball down the right wing to the by-line then crossed to Ivan Helguera who headed home at the far post.

The formula worked so well, Figo used it for the fifth goal of the night. His centre from the right was met by Raul, who netted his 23rd goal of the season to become La Liga's 'Pichichi', thundering a header into the roof of the net.

Real Madrid become champions of the First Division with 76 points, putting them out of reach of second-placed Deportivo on goal difference.

Real take their 28th league title, their first championship since the 1996-7 season.