Valencia made up for their Champions League failures of recent seasons to clinch their first Primera Liga title in 31 years with a comfortable 2-0 win in Malaga. Rafael Benitez took over in the summer from Hector Cuper, who guided the Spaniards to successive European finals, and has brought home only Valencia's second title in 55 years to the Mestalla.
Roberto Ayala and Fabio Aurelio were the players to grab the goals, giving Valencia an unassailable six-point lead over Real Madrid with one week of the season remaining. Real tamely surrendered their title with a scoreless draw against Real Mallorca in the Bernabeu. Their failure to win their last home game of the season means they now have to avoid defeat at Deportivo La Coruna to assure automatic qualification to next season's Champions League.
Filed by Shane Murray
