MARCA ended an 11-year wait for Liga de Medios glory in dramatic fashion, securing the 2025-26 title with a nerve-shredding 3-3 draw against direct rivals DAZN on the final matchday. The result at the A.D. Villa Rosa field ensured the media outlet’s football team finished the season as champions, sparking celebrations that were 11 years in the making.
Coming into the decisive clash, MARCA held a slender one-point advantage over DAZN at the top of the standings. Anything other than a defeat would guarantee them the trophy, but the high-stakes encounter quickly evolved into a rollercoaster that tested their resolve. Early goals from Rodrigo Vázquez and Sergio Fernández either side of a DAZN equalizer put MARCA 2-1 ahead, seemingly in control of their destiny.
However, DAZN refused to go quietly. Before the halftime whistle, they struck twice to flip the scoreboard to 3-2, a result that would have crowned the digital platform as champions. The momentum had shifted dramatically, and MARCA’s dream of reclaiming the title hung in the balance as they regrouped for the second period.
What followed was a half of football that will be etched in the memories of those present. MARCA emerged with renewed intensity and found an equalizer through a stunning strike from Kevin Delgado, a goal described as “antológico” for its sheer quality and timing. With the score at 3-3, the championship was back in MARCA’s hands — but only just, as DAZN pressed relentlessly for a winner.
In a moment of high drama, defender Álvaro Elías provided the heroic intervention that ultimately sealed the title. With the goalkeeper beaten, Elías cleared a goal-bound shot off the line, preserving the draw and sending the MARCA bench into raptures. That defensive stand epitomized the resilience that had characterized their entire campaign.
The final whistle sparked scenes of raw emotion as players and staff celebrated the end of a long drought. MARCA’s last triumph in the Liga de Medios had come over a decade ago, and the intervening years had been marked by a necessary but painful rebuilding process. Under the guidance of team president José Luis Allegue, a generational shift was undertaken, blending experience with fresh talent to construct a squad capable of competing at the highest level of media football.
The 2025-26 season was a masterclass in consistency. Across 22 matches, MARCA amassed 19 wins, two draws, and suffered just a single defeat — numbers that underscore their dominance. They finished the campaign with a points tally that few teams in the league’s history could match, demonstrating a level of quality and depth that set them apart from the competition.
Central to their success was the talismanic Rodrigo Vázquez, who not only opened the scoring in the decisive final game but was named the league’s Most Valuable Player for his contributions throughout the season. Vázquez’s goals, creativity, and leadership on the pitch were instrumental in driving the team forward, earning him the adulation of fans and teammates alike.
The squad depth was evident from the lineup that took the field in the title decider. The official team sheet included Víctor Romero and Javier Calvo as goalkeepers, with a defensive unit featuring Félix Durán, Dani Rete, Chema Gómez, and Álvaro Elías. The midfield and attacking options boasted names like José Luis Allegue, Sergio Fernández, Gonzalo Mendo, Kevin Delgado, Rodrigo Vázquez, Irati Prat, Álvaro Olmedo, Alejandro Peinado, and Javier Mancebo — a roster that balanced work rate, flair, and tactical discipline.
Beyond individual accolades, this triumph represents a much broader statement. For a brand synonymous with football journalism, having its own team reach the pinnacle of the media tournament reasserts MARCA’s identity as a competitor in every sense. The Liga de Medios title is not just a sporting victory; it reflects the culture of excellence that the institution strives to embody, bridging the gap between covering the sport and participating in it.
The rebuilding phase, which required patience and strategic planning, now appears vindicated. The decision to invest in younger talents and allow them to develop under the leadership of experienced figures like Allegue and Vázquez has paid off handsomely. The 2025-26 championship is likely to serve as a springboard for sustained success, with the core of the squad poised to remain intact for future campaigns.
As the celebrations continue, the significance of this Liga de Medios crown will resonate within the company and among its readership. It marks the return of “la M roja” to a place it once occupied with regularity, and it rekindles a tradition of sporting achievement that adds another chapter to MARCA’s storied legacy.
Based on reporting from Marca.
