Atletico Madrid wins Spanish League

Madrid, May 18 (IANS) Atletico Madrid won the Spanish league Saturday after 18 years as a result of a 1-1 draw against Barcelona, Xinhua reported.

The match, which was played at the stadium of Camp Nou in the Mediterranean city of Barcelona, created a great expectancy.

The game was very intense and both teams fought hard, especially Atletico, after two of its best players -- Diego Costa and Turan -- got injured in the first 20 minutes.

Barcelona's player Alexis scored a goal in the first half of the match which could have made Barcelona win the title after a draw in the first leg.

However, in the second part, Atletico's Godin scored a goal after 48 minutes of match, giving the victory to Atletico.

Barcelona won the league 22 times and the Atletico de Madrid nine.

Atletico's coach Diego Simeone said, "It is terrific, there are no other words. Fighting, competing, with humility, against everything. I knew the players would keep their heads, I know them."

"It is tremendous, a feeling of joy that cannot be explained," he added.