So that was La Liga 2022/23 and, some 10 months after it began, how did it end and what stood out on the final day?
Well, what started with a giant of the game supposedly in chaos ended well for them some weeks ago as they claimed their first La Liga title in four years.
Just as before a ball was kicked the main headline on the final day actually centred on events off the pitch as much as on it.
A few hours before kick-off at the Bernabeu between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, it was announced that a bona fide club legend was about to say farewell.
A last hurrah and a swansong for a French great, the reigning world player of the year Karim Benzema.
His La Liga highlights and highlights the world over need little introduction.
He was to leave Real as a free agent after 14 trophy-laden years, the club confirmed, with the striker being linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
Indeed, with 25 major trophies to his name in the Spanish capital, he is the joint most-successful player in their history.
The news came 24 hours after it was also announced that Spanish international Marco Asensio has agreed a deal to join Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain – also on a free transfer following nine years with the club – so Madrid wished to give the duo a fitting send-off.
He joins Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz (both unused substitutes) in the departures lounge.
Ultimately, Real gave Benzema the perfect send-off or, rather, their number nine gave himself the ideal send-off, slotting home a second half penalty (his 354th goal for the club) after Eder Militao was fouled in the box.
Oihan Sancet had earlier fired the visitors in front from close range, this after Thibaut Courtois kept out his initial effort.
The Belgium goalkeeper also saved a first-half penalty from Mikel Vesga following a Toni Kroos handball.
That point ensured Real held onto second spot in the table as city rivals Atletico conceded a stoppage time equaliser against Villarreal.
Diego Simeone’s men were leading 2-1 at the Estadi de la Ceramica and due to pip Real to the runners-up spot, thanks to Angel Correa’s double.
Yet Jorge Pascual’s 92nd minute equaliser pushed Atletico, who had played the final quarter with 10 men following Axel Witsel’s dismissal, meant the contest ended 2-2.
Elsewhere, the focus was on the fight for seventh place and the final European spot, along with the bid to beat the drop.
The former was the first to be determined as Osasuna secured the final La Liga European qualifying spot.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side missed out on a place in the Europa League, after losing to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, but there was to be a last gasp reprieve.
Seizing their chance at home to fellow European hopefuls Girona, the club from Paploma secured European football for the first time since 2006, courtesy of Ante Budimir’s quickfire second half double in a 2-1 victory.
Fast forward a few hours, and the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds went one way then the other as clubs were on tenterhooks to try and preserve their top flight status.
Valencia conceded a first minute goal at Real Betis to slip within one place of the drop zone, while Cadiz netted inside 10 minutes at rock bottom Elche to ease any anxiety they could be dragged into the scrap.
There was then a massive boost for Celta Vigo when they went in front against champions Barcelona through young talent Gabri Veiga.
That denied Marc-Andre Ter Stegen the chance to claim the outright La Liga season clean sheet record of 27 shutouts.
If that brought unadulterated joy for the Galicians, the same player doubled their advantage just after the hour with a superb long range effort, Celta were home n’ hosed and went onto record a 2-1 triumph.
Below them, the picture changed within a few minutes.
Just as already relegated Elche were equalising against Cadiz, Valencia were drawing level against Betis to give themselves a little bit of breathing space.
Two minutes later, Espanyol – also already down – took the lead against Almeria who then dropped below Real Valladolid into the bottom three.
Remember, this was down to their head-to-head meetings during the campaign, rather than goal difference.
Was Luka Koleosho going to relegate the south-eastern club or could they draw level or hope fellow battlers Getafe could take the lead at Valladolid.
Meanwhile, Valencia’s nerves weren’t helped when Yunus Musah was dismissed at Betis 10 minutes from time.
America got their moment three minutes from time when Adrian Embarba equalised from the penalty spot with his second goal of the game. Now Valladolid needed a goal at home to Getafe or would be back down after one season. They didn’t get it. Their recent yo-yo history continues.
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