La Liga, Round 22: Atlético Madrid defeat Real Sociedad, claim first place

The passing for former Spanish national team coach and Atlético Madrid player Luis Aragonés cast a somer shadow over the league as there were moments of silence before matches to honor him. At the Vicente Calderón, a stadium where Aragonés played and coaches, fans remained quiet for the opening eight minutes of the match before exploding into chanting the Atléti legends’ name.

David Villa’s goal late in the first half was clearly an emotional moment for the player as he was one of many who struggled to hold back tears before the match. In the end, Atléti’s 4-0 win and ascension to the top of the La Liga for the first time in 18 years was about the best way the club could have possibly honored Aragonés.

After having a goal correctly disallowed earlier for being offside, David Villa put Atléti in front in the 38th minute. A poorly time giveaway by Carlos Martinez started the counter attack as Emiliano Insúa moved the ball out left to Diego Costa who wasted no time centering back to David Villa who directed it past Bravo.

The goalscorer left the match just three minutes later with an apparent hamstring injury.