BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi clinched an eighth La Liga title for Barcelona in 11 seasons on Saturday (April 27) as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to Levante.
The Argentine star struck his league-leading 34th goal of the campaign after coming off the bench for the second half to help Barca wrap up the title with three games remaining.
Barca hold a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, but the Catalans cannot be overtaken thanks to their superior head-to-head record.
It is Barca's 26th league title and nudges them closer to Real Madrid's record of 33 in Spain.
"To win the title with a distance and gap is difficult with the rivals we have. We've done it two years in a row," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told Movistar.
"We're happy and to see people enjoying it makes us proud. But we still have challenges ahead."
Valverde initially left Messi on the bench with Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool in mind, but he replaced Philippe Coutinho at the break at the Camp Nou.
Coutinho and Luis Suarez pressed Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez into action early on, the Brazilian coming closest to breaking the deadlock when his free-kick rattled the crossbar shortly before half-time.
He was sacrificed for Messi though, and it proved an inspired decision as the Argentine swept in the winner on 62 minutes following a frantic scramble inside the Levante area.
The visitors, not yet safe from the threat of relegation, responded and put Barca on the defensive but were denied a last-gasp equaliser when the ball hit the post and rolled into the grateful arms of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
ATLETICO DELAY THE PARTY
Atletico had delayed Barca's title party earlier in the day as they scraped past strugglers Real Valladolid 1-0 after surviving late VAR penalty drama.
Joaquin Fernandez's own goal put Atletico ahead midway through the second half, but they had to endure a nervy final few minutes in which Jan Oblak had to be at his best and they survived a late VAR check over what looked like a clear Santiago Arias handball in the area.
"It's controversial, a ball that hits the hand and the referee's decision is to see if it's voluntary or not," said Saul Niguez, whose cross led to their fortunate winner.
Diego Simeone's side are nine points ahead of local rivals and reigning European champions Real Madrid, who travel to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday amid increasing speculation they will respond to a disappointing season by swooping for Eden Hazard and Neymar.
"It's what we deserve, no more, no less. We've come so far," added Saul.
"There were moments when we wanted to be first and others that I would say no, that's what we deserve."
Valladolid meanwhile stay 17th, just one point and a place away from the relegation zone after a match they will feel they were unlucky to lose.
Earlier on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao and Alaves did their chances of European football next season no favours with a 1-1 draw in the Basque Country.
Seventh-placed Bilbao are five points away from the Champions league places - with Alaves a further three points back - and could also see Valencia and Sevilla take the Europa league further away from them when they take on Eibar and Girona.
2 of 4 Hyacinth Mureen Smith, center, is hugged by her son-in-law, Enroy Barret, after she is granted custody of her 8-year-old granddaughter during a hearing in Bexar County 73rd District Court
Jurgen Klopp praises Tottenham ahead of crucial clash
First, he changed his own game. Then, he created a process around his experience so the 18,000+ entrepreneurs he has worked with could change theirs. Changing lives is no small feat, but for Dan Sullivan, founder of The Strategic Coach ® Program, this game-changer movement is just beginning.
Scoring The Equalizer - How Football Can Become A Game
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion his team is still in the Premier League title race as they prepare to clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri - World
Salah: "I don't score for a few games & there are players on the same number of goals as me & they say they are having the best seasons of their lives, while I'm supposed to be having a bad season! Aguero? 2 goals more than me & they are saying it's the best season he's ever had" (twitter.com) submitted 1 month ago by Chiswell123. 21
Should Salah do more than just score goals ESPN FC - YouTube
Guardiola sorry to have derailed Pellegrini's final days at City AFP Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists he has faith in VAR after a controversial night in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola sorry for derailing Manuel Pellegrini's
All eyes on France star in key clash, Football News & Top
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo fit for Juventus clash with Ajax, says coach Massimiliano Allegri. The return of Ronaldo will be a massive boost as Juventus seek to end their 23-year wait to lift the Champions League trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo fit for Juventus clash with Ajax
(Reuters) - ARSENAL 3 BURNLEY 1 . Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley, returning his side to winning ways after two straight defeats.
EPL: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over
Football: Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory MADRID (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday (June 1), after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/01/salah-lauds-unbelievable-liverpool-after-champions-league-glory/
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory AFP June 1, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday, after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory
May 30, 2019 · MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti has left the Serie A club, with Antonio Conte expected to replace him in the next few days, something many reports indicated in the last week
Luciano Spalletti exit 'to cost Inter Milan £22m' as club
'Monday night football' comes to the Emirates Stadium tonight as Arsenal , in search of their 10th successive league home win 2015 Arsenal Aston Villa 4-0. 2014 Arsenal Hull City 3 - 2 aet. C Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal - Match Report & Highlights Crystal Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal : Alexis Sanchez scores twice for Gunners. By James Walker-Roberts.
Palace punish sloppy Arsenal in 3-2 win at the Emirates
Liverpool will spend Christmas on top of the Premier League after goals from Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk earned them a 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday, opening up a four-point lead over second
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah, Dijk sink Wolves
SAO PAULO (AP) -- A Brazilian hospital says Pele is ''recovering well'' after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones. The Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement Friday that the 74-year
"Kidney Disease is Gone" | Natural Secret That Work
AD
HealKidneyDisease.com
Report Ad
No Dialysis & Surgery. Lower creatinine levels solutions for stages 1-4
Alan Archibald says Partick Thistle could have claimed maximum points in the draw with Partick Thistle. Alan Archibald rues missed chances in St Mirren draw. 25 Apr 2014 thing is we
El Clasico: Barcelona rues missed chances in draw vs Real
0 comments:
Post a Comment