La Liga 2020–21 Season Review: Atlético Madrid's Triumph
The 2020–21 La Liga season, officially known as La Liga Santander for sponsorship reasons, marked the 90th edition of Spain's premier football division. Spanning from 12 September 2020 to 23 May 2021, the campaign was defined by a high-stakes race for the title and a relentless battle against relegation.
Entering the season, Real Madrid held the title as defending champions with a record 34 trophies. However, the narrative shifted as the season progressed, culminating in a dramatic finale that saw a shift in the power balance of Spanish football.
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Key Facts
- Champions: Atlético Madrid (11th title)
- Top Goalscorer: Lionel Messi (30 goals)
- Best Player & Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
- Total Goals: 953 (Average of 2.51 per match)
- Relegated Teams: Huesca, Valladolid, and Eibar
- Longest Unbeaten Run: Barcelona (19 matches)
The Race for the Title
The season reached a thrilling conclusion on the final day. Atlético Madrid secured their eleventh league title—their first since the 2013–14 season—following a 2–1 comeback victory against Valladolid. This victory broke a streak where only Barcelona and Real Madrid had claimed the trophy.
Atlético's success was built on a formidable defense and consistency, highlighted by their longest winning run of eight matches. Real Madrid and Barcelona followed closely in the standings, ensuring that the traditional giants remained at the top of the table.
Promotion and Relegation
The league featured twenty teams, including three newly promoted sides from the Segunda División (the second-tier professional league): Cádiz, Huesca, and Elche. Cádiz returned after a fourteen-year absence, while Huesca made an immediate return to the top flight.
Conversely, the season ended in heartbreak for three clubs. Espanyol's 26-year stay in the top tier ended after a loss to Barcelona, while Mallorca suffered an immediate return to the second division. Leganés and eventually Valladolid, Huesca, and Eibar also faced the drop.
Individual Brilliance and Awards
Despite Atlético's team success, individual accolades were dominated by world-class talent. Lionel Messi continued his scoring prowess, finishing as the top goalscorer with 30 goals. In goal, Jan Oblak was peerless, winning both the Player of the Season award and the Zamora Trophy (awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio) with an average of 0.66 goals conceded per match.
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Season Performance Summary
| Category | Detail | Value/Name |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | League Games | 380 |
| Highest Scoring Game | Multiple Matches | 7 Goals |
| Biggest Win | Atlético Madrid 6–1 Granada | 5-goal margin |
| Top Assist Provider | Iago Aspas | 13 Assists |
| Most Yellow Cards (Team) | Getafe | 114 |
European Qualification
The battle for European spots was equally intense. Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla secured direct Champions League group stage berths. Villarreal also qualified for the Champions League after winning the UEFA Europa League. Real Sociedad and Real Betis earned spots in the Europa League group stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the La Liga title in the 2020–21 season?
Atlético Madrid won the title, marking their 11th championship and their first since 2014.
Who was the top goalscorer of the season?
Lionel Messi of Barcelona was the top scorer, netting 30 goals.
Which goalkeeper won the Zamora Trophy?
Jan Oblak of Atlético Madrid won the trophy with a record of 0.66 goals conceded per match.
Which teams were relegated to the Segunda División?
Huesca, Valladolid, and Eibar were the three teams relegated at the end of the season.
How many goals were scored in total during the season?
A total of 953 goals were scored across 380 matches, averaging 2.51 goals per game.