Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid were forced to a draw away to relegation-threatened Cadiz. Mariano put the 35-time Spanish champions ahead after five minutes into the game following an excellent run by Rodrygo. Ruben Sobrino struck a deserved equalizer for Cadiz before half-time.
Former Manchester City forward Alvaro Negredo saw his second-half penalty saved by Real Madrid second choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to leave Cadiz outside the relegation places on goal difference heading into their final fixture. With one eye on their Champions League final meeting with Liverpool in Paris on Saturday, 28 May, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti made six changes and rested key players including Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.
The pressure may be off domestically for Real, having clinched the title at the end of April with four games to spare, however that did not stop them from thrashing Levante 6-0 in midweek. They faced a much sterner test on Sunday, however, as a determined Cadiz side fought for their La Liga status.
Ukraine international Lunin, replacing Thibaut Courtois for the visitors, made six saves as the hosts registered 21 attempts at goal. But they were unable to add to Sobrino’s finish, as Negredo spurned the chance to put his side back in front after being brought down by Lunin the Real goalkeeper diving to his left to keep out the Spaniard’s spot-kick. Real Madrid remains 12 points clear at the top after Barcelona was held to a goalless draw at Getafe.