In contrast to the Premier League, La Liga has often been stereotyped for being a three-horse race between FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid. While these giants of the Spanish League have swept away most of the titles without being offered much competition, but our list features some teams apart from them.
There have been some incredibly dramatic races over the years that have brought with them some of the greatest ever moments in La Liga. Until 1995, 2 points were awarded for a win and one for a draw. It resulted in some very close finishes pre-95.
As La Liga has already started with some exciting results in the first gameweek, we look at the very best run-ins to ever grace La Liga.
1. FC Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruña (1993-94)
Back in season 1993-94, Deportivo found themselves contesting for La Liga by the end of the season. Branquiazuis were sporting a 3-point lead over the Catalans with 4 games left to go. It was one of the rare occasions where Real Madrid was not in title contention with Barcelona for the league title. Deportivo just had to win two out of their four fixtures to grab the league title. However, they drew their next three games and handed the advantage to Barcelona. Barcelona won their last game and Deportivo could still win if they won their last league game against Valencia on the final matchday. Deportivo were awarded a penalty with just minutes remaining. Deporitvo’s Serbian defender, Miroslav Dukić failed to convert from the spot shattering their title dreams. Barcelona lifted their fourth successive league title owing to a superior head-to-head record against Deportivo.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
FC Barcelona 56
Deportivo 56
2. Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona (2006-07)
In what was one of the greatest title races to remember, Real Madrid and Barcelona locked horns in a heated battle. The Catalans were on the top of La Liga for the most part of the season but they squandered their lead after some inconsistent performances in the second half of the season. Real Madrid maintained their form and overtook Barcelona after beating Espanyol. It all came down to the last matchday as Barcelona needed a win and a draw would give Real Madrid the title. Despite the Blaugranas thrashing Gimnastic 5-1, Real Madrid won against Mallorca & lifted their 30th La Liga title owing to a superior head-to-head record against Barcelona.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
Real Madrid 76
Barcelona 76
3. FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid (1992-93)
There was a sense of deja vu in the 1992-93 season as it came down to the final matchday with Barcelona trailing Real Madrid by one point. Real faced Tenerife in their final league game, who denied them the league title last season on the final matchday.
Cruyff's Barcelona were in the hunt for their third consecutive league title and they faced Zaragoza in the final league game of the campaign. They won 1-0 against Zaragoza and clinched their 13th title overall.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
FC Barcelona 58
Real Madrid 57
4. FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (1991-92)
A three-horse race decided in the last few games. Does it get any tighter than this?
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid started their campaign comfortably whereas Barcelona struggled at the start of the season, losing 3 out of their 8 games. Atletico struggled a bit in the second half of the season but came back stronger by winning 7 consecutive games. Barcelona experienced an impressive run too as they lost only 3 games from out of their next 30 games. Atletico's hopes of a first title in 15 years were squandered in matchday 35 against Real Madrid when they blew a 1-2 lead at Bernabeu, to lose 3-2. Real Madrid dropped points in their next two games and it all came down to the last matchday. Real lost to Tenerife 2-3 handing the title over to Cruyff's Barcelona.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
FC Barcelona 55
Real Madrid 54
Atletico Madrid 53
5. FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid (2015-16)
This season was the closest one in the last decade in La Liga. The league race became a sprint as just one point separated Barcelona, Atlético, and Real Madrid and they were left with 5 games, knowing that a single slip would end it. Well, Atletico did slip as they lost 1-2 against Levante. Real Madrid won their remaining fixtures and so did Barcelona. Barcelona won the league title again for the sixth time in eight years.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
FC Barcelona 91
Real Madrid 90
6. Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad (2002-03)
Madrid were at the height of the Galácticos era and just signed Ronaldo from Inter. El Fenômeno joined the likes of Raúl, Luis Figo, Cambiasso, and Zinedine Zidane. Everybody expected Real to win La Liga easily. While LVG's Barcelona were struggling in the middle of the table, the Basque club, Real Sociedad were pushing Real Madrid for the league title. Real Madrid beat Sociedad's Basque rivals Bilbao in their final game and finished on 78 points to win La Liga. Raynald Denoueix' side fell two short and ended their league campaign with 76 points.
Final League table :
Position Team Points
Real Madrid 78
Real Sociedad 76
