Real Madrid snatched victory in the most exciting Spanish title race in over a decade thanks to a new-found team spirit, pragmatic style of play, steely determination and dash of good fortune.
The nine-times European champions clinched their first major trophy in four years when they came from behind to beat Real Mallorca 3-1 at the Bernabeu in a thrilling finale on Sunday.
Halfway through the season few people would have given the Madrid side any hope of depriving arch-rivals Barcelona of a third successive league title.
Ronaldo had been sold to AC Milan because he was seen as a destabilising influence in the dressing room, David Beckham was banished to the stands after announcing a $250 million move to LA Galaxy and coach Fabio Capello was close to being sacked.
By common consent Real were playing some of the dullest football in the league. They had slipped to five defeats in eight games and the club appeared to be in chaos.
Real president Ramon Calderon dropped his guard in January when he accused the players of "egoism and vanity" for failing to pull their weight on the pitch.
The fact that Real turned the situation around is partly due to the weaknesses of their opponents but also a tribute to the tenacity and self-belief of Capello and his players.
ERRORS RECTIFIED
The Italian, drafted in to do the dirty work and sweep the club clean of the Galacticos, made some costly mistakes but was also astute and experienced enough to rectify his errors.
Arguably he got it right by selling Ronaldo and sidelining the rebellious Antonio Cassano but he misjudged Beckham, Brazil forward Robinho, midfielder Guti and centre back Ivan Helguera.
The quartet were all out of favour at the start of the season but Capello was forced to backtrack on his evaluation and they played an important part in helping Real to the title.
After shaky starts to the season, new signings Ruud van Nistelrooy, Emerson, Mahamadou Diarra and Fabio Cannavaro all justified their moves. The Dutch striker played the most decisive role with his 25 league goals.
That Real even had a chance of winning La Liga at the halfway mark in the season was largely due to the weakness of Barcelona and the fact that Sevilla had to contend with exhausting campaigns in Europe and the King's Cup.
With leading striker Samuel Eto'o and Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi missing much of the early part of the campaign through injury, Ronaldinho did an impressive job as he shouldered the burden in attack for Barca.
But in reality they were a mere shadow of the side that romped to the title in the previous two seasons.
WARNING SIGNS
The turning point of the campaign came when Real drew 3-3 at the Nou Camp in March, Barcelona only saved from defeat by a last-gasp strike from Messi.
After that Real grew in confidence as the Catalans stuttered away from home and, while they never set the world alight, an ability to win matches that were seemingly lost saw them wrest the title from Barca's grasp.
A late flurry against Sevilla and thrilling last-gasp victories over Recreativo Huelva and Espanyol proved decisive for the Madrid side, while Barcelona dropped their guard and were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Real Betis.
Real almost let the title slip in the penultimate match when they trailed Zaragoza as Barca led Espanyol.
But in a late twist to a nerve-shredding title tale, Real equalised at the death through Van Nistelrooy while Barca faltered by conceding a late goal against their city rivals.
Real went into the final game knowing a win would clinch the title and two second-half strikes from substitute Jose Antonio Reyes either side of a Mahamadou Diarra headed goal delivered a 30th Primera Liga crown for the ecstatic Bernabeu fans.
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