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European roundup: Suarez fires Atletico to win La Liga title, Lewandowski breaks Mueller's goal scoring record
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Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate after winning the La Liga title in Valladolid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate after winning the La Liga title in Valladolid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Atletico Madrid pipped city rivals Real Madrid to the La Liga title on Saturday after Luis Suarez fired them to a 2-1 comeback win at Real Valladolid, which secured them the Spanish championship for the first time in seven years.

Valladolid took a shock lead in the 18th minute when Oscar Plano slotted past Jan Oblak to complete a sweeping counterattack after Yannick Carrasco had lost control of the ball following an Atletico corner.

Just as they had done in last week's comeback win over Osasuna, Atletico missed a series of clear opportunities but they drew level after a moment of magic from Angel Correa, who danced his way through the defense before arrowing into the bottom corner in the 57th minute.

Suarez then pounced on a giveaway by the Valladolid defense to score in the 67th and put Atletico on their way to a victory that would secure the title no matter what happened in Real Madrid's game at home to Villarreal.

Luis Suarez of Atletico Madrid sheds tears during a video call to family after winning the La Liga champion in Valladolid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Luis Suarez of Atletico Madrid sheds tears during a video call to family after winning the La Liga champion in Valladolid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

"Atletico have had an incredible season despite all the difficulties we've had. We've been the most consistent team and we are champions," said Suarez.

"Our first half of the season wasn't normal and neither was the slump we had," added Suarez, who joined Atletico last year after being forced out by Barcelona.

The Uruguayan, 34, was close to tears after the game and thanked manager Diego Simeone's side for giving him a chance to keep proving himself at the top level.

"The situation I had to live through was very difficult, I was treated badly. But Atletico opened the door for me to prove I was still good enough," he said.

Atletico finished top of the standings on 86 points while Real came second on 84. Valladolid finished 19th and were relegated to Spain's second division along with 18th-place Huesca and Eibar, who finished bottom.

Supporters of Atletico Madrid gather at Neptuno square after the club win the La Liga title for the first time since 2014, Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Supporters of Atletico Madrid gather at Neptuno square after the club win the La Liga title for the first time since 2014, Madrid, Spain, May 22, 2021. /CFP

The game was played behind closed doors like all of Atletico's matches this season although several hundred supporters cheered them on from outside the stadium.

Thousands of fans were celebrating in central Madrid after Atletico won the La Liga title on Saturday for the first time since 2014, while police used reinforcements and drones to contain the crowds.

However, a 14-year-old Atletico Madrid fan died after he hit his head on a wall while leaning out of a moving van in central Madrid on Saturday, emergency services said.

The boy suffered a cardiac arrest and despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead an hour after the accident occurred at 9:20 p.m., a source from the Madrid emergency services said.

The teenager was travelling with family and friends when the accident happened.

Madrid's Municipal Police are investigating the incident.

Robert Lewandowski (C) of Bayern Munich lifts the Bundesliga Trophy in celebration with teammates in Munich, Germany, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Robert Lewandowski (C) of Bayern Munich lifts the Bundesliga Trophy in celebration with teammates in Munich, Germany, May 22, 2021. /CFP

In Bundesliga, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski said it felt like being in a "science fiction film" as he scored his 41st Bundesliga goal of the season on Saturday to break Gerd Mueller's 49-year-old German league record for a single campaign.

Last weekend, Lewandowski scored in the 90th minute of Bayern's 5-2 home win over Augsburg having equaled Mueller's record of 40, which was set in 1971/72.

Lewandowski broke Mueller's mark with a classic poacher's effort, rounding the Augsburg goalkeeper to fire home having snapped up the rebound after Leroy Sane's shot was parried just before the whistle.

"You wait for 90 minutes and then it comes in the last few seconds," Lewandowski told Sky.

"It was like being in a science fiction film. I've lost my voice," he added. "I saw Leroy shoot for goal, I had to keep believing and luckily it came off."

Robert Lewandowski (R) of Bayern Munich receives the top goalscorer of the season award in Munich, Germany, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Robert Lewandowski (R) of Bayern Munich receives the top goalscorer of the season award in Munich, Germany, May 22, 2021. /CFP

Lewandowski claimed the record having had his six previous shots all saved as Bayern were presented with the Bundesliga trophy after the final whistle for the ninth straight season.

They finished the season 13 points clear in the table.

"I was a little bit disappointed to have not scored sooner, but sometimes such records have to be fought for," added Lewandowski.

"I was patient and believed until the end. I thank my team, who share the record with me."

It was the last game for Bayern head coach Hansi Flick, who will be replaced by Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann next season having won seven titles over the last 18 months.

At the other end of the table, Werder Bremen were relegated on the last day of the season after 40 years in Germany's top flight.

Cologne's 1-0 home win over bottom side Schalke meant automatic relegation for Bremen, who were thumped 4-2 at home to Moenchengladbach.

This is Bremen's first relegation since 1979/80 before coming back up the following season.

(With input from agencies)

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