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DRAMATIC WIN: Real's Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain (third from left) celebrating with his mates after scoring the winner in the last minute against Osasuna. -- PHOTO: AP
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MADRID - VICTORIOUS Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said his team fully deserved to retain the Spanish championship.
Real clinched their 31st Primera Liga title on Sunday, after late goals from Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain secured a 2-1 win over Osasuna.
The dismissal of Fabio Cannavaro in the 46th minute appeared to have tipped the balance in Osasuna's favour, but Real showed the spirit of champions to come back and prevail.
With three of 38 games left, they top the standings with 78 points, an insurmountable 10 points ahead of second-placed Villarreal. Barcelona are third.
It is the first time they have retained the title since they won five straight times, beginning with the 1985-86 season.
The club have now amassed a Spanish record 31 championships.
'In sport, you have to fight and suffer sometimes. But to win the title like this is special,' said Schuster.
'The game had everything but we clinched the title, and that is all that matters.
'We are enjoying the moment. It will be some party, just like on Wednesday against Barcelona.'
Barcelona, Real's arch-rivals, will be expected to pay homage to the newly-crowned champions when they meet tomorrow.
And captain Raul Gonzalez will lift the trophy in front of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
'We did what we had to do and are so delighted,' said Schuster. 'These are moments that you sometimes wish would last longer. We all have to treasure them.'
Real president Ramon Calderon saluted the achievement of Schuster in his first season at the club.
The German took over from the axed Fabio Capello in the summer.
'I always had faith in Schuster and he deserves a lot of credit,' said Calderon.
'This team never lie down and now we are going to celebrate in Madrid. It will be a huge party.'
Schuster was rewarded with the news that he will be keeping his job for next season - something his six predecessors could not do.
Carlos Queiroz, Jose Antonio Camacho, Mariano Garcia Remon, Wanderley Luxemburgo, Jose Lopez Caro and Capello have come and gone since 2003.
Higuain, a 65th-minute substitute for Raul, scored the winning goal in the last minute with a 15-metre volley, before being mobbed by teammates.
Robben had equalised two minutes earlier with a header from a free kick.
Patxi Punal scored for Osasuna with an 82nd-minute penalty kick, after Gabriel Heinze handled the ball.
'It's not easy to win two in a row,' said Raul. 'We were up against a team who have a lot to play for, but we kept fighting and produced a great comeback.'
About 10,000 Real supporters gathered at the Plaza Cibeles in the Spanish capital after the match to celebrate.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS, REUTERS
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