On June 17, 2007, Real Madrid scripted one of Spanish football’s most improbable comebacks, clinching their 30th La Liga title by overcoming a 11-point deficit to rivals Barcelona. The drama unfolded on the final matchday, where Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Mallorca combined with Barcelona’s 5-1 thrashing of Gimnàstic de Tarragona to crown the Blancos champions via head-to-head record.
The Deficit and the Resurgence
Madrid’s campaign began in turmoil. By late February 2007, under manager Fabio Capello, they trailed Barcelona by 11 points, with critics dismissing their title hopes. However, a tactical shift and individual brilliance reignited their bid. Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy emerged as the catalyst, scoring 10 goals in seven consecutive matches from March onward, including crucial strikes against Valencia and Sevilla. Midfielders Mahamadou Diarra and Beckham provided stability, while youngsters Gonzalo Higuaín and José Antonio Reyes delivered decisive moments off the bench.
The Head-to-Head Edge
Madrid’s triumph hinged on their superior record against Barcelona. In October 2006, they defeated Barça 2-0 at the Bernabéu, with goals from Raúl and Van Nistelrooy. The return fixture in March 2007 ended in a 3-3 draw, where Van Nistelrooy’s brace and Sergio Ramos’ header canceled out Lionel Messi’s hat-trick. These results ensured Madrid held the tiebreaker, even if both teams finished level on points.
The Final-Day Drama
On the penultimate matchday, Madrid closed the gap to 2 points by defeating Deportivo La Coruña, while Barcelona drew with Real Betis. The stage was set for a historic decider: Madrid needed to beat Mallorca, while Barcelona had to win and hope for a Madrid slip-up.
At the Ono Estadi, Mallorca took an early lead through Àlex Varela. Reyes equalized in the 68th minute, Diarra headed the winner in the 80th, and Reyes sealed the 3-1 victory three minutes later. Meanwhile, Barcelona demolished Gimnàstic, with Messi scoring twice. Yet, Madrid’s superior head-to-head record rendered Barça’s five-goal salvo irrelevant.
Legacy of the Miracle
This triumph marked Madrid’s first league title since 2003 and Capello’s second spell as their manager. Van Nistelrooy’s 25 league goals earned him the Pichichi Trophy, while Beckham—embroiled in a public feud with Capello—delivered four assists in the final eight matches, cementing his legacy as a leader. The victory also symbolized Madrid’s resurgence after years of underachievement, contrasting with Barcelona’s fading “Dream Team” era under Frank Rijkaard.
“We never gave up. That’s the Madrid way.” – Raúl González, reflecting on the 2007 title.
