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.
Tottenham Boss Mauricio Pochettino has said he is disappointed at his two-match touchline ban by the English Football Association.Pochettino will be absent from the dugout for games against Southampton and Liverpool as punishment for a confrontation with referee Mike Dean at Burnley last month."I am a little bit in
Mauricio Pochettino labels two-game touchline ban 'completely
Lloris is much more experienced than Paulo Gazzaniga, but Jenas fears that the Frenchman's poor form could cost Spurs a place in the top four if Mauricio Pochettino doesn't make a change.
Former Tottenham man says Hugo Lloris should be dropped after
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says his team will 'fight like animals' to retain their Premier League crown. City lead Liverpool at the top of the table by a single point after their 2
Premier League: Man City claim second successive title
Thomas Muller issues emotional response following brutal Germany axe. The Bayern Munich forward was dropped by coach Joachim Loew, along with his clubmates Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng
'Angry' Mueller questions Loew decision after Germany axe
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that his side got away with a sloppy display during their 2-1 win over Watford on Sunday, believing that they have put themselves "almost in the driving seat" to finish in the top four. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rates Anthony Martial's chances of
Cristiano Ronaldo has pledged his long term future to the old lady as he said he will be staying at Juventus "1000%" after the club won an eighth consecutive Serie A title with victory over Fiorentina.
Zidane sure of Ronaldo's stay | The Guardian Nigeria News
Valencia coach Marcelino insists the pressure will be on Arsenal when his side take on the Gunners in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Arsenal favourites for Europa League, says Valencia's
Arsenal, Chelsea, Valencia, Frankfurt in Europa League semis
City's title surely but brighton no pushovers, Football News
Getty Images. Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said a potential joint Korean bid for the 2023 Women's World Cup "would be great". On Monday, Hong Myung-bo, general secretary at the Korea
Infantino backs Korean bid for women's World Cup, Football
MILAN (AFP) - Eusebio Di Francesco was sacked as Roma coach after the team crashed out of the Champions League, the Italian club confirmed on Thursday (March 7), with former boss Claudio Ranieri
The Standard - Kenya: Ranieri lined-up as Roma sack Di
We lack rub of the green: Simeone, Football News & Top
Top 10 Interview Questions For 2019 (…And How To Answer Them)
A high roller, also referred to as a whale, is a gambler who consistently wagers large amounts of money. High rollers often receive lavish "comps" from casinos to lure them onto the gambling floors, such as free private jet transfers, limousine use and use of the casinos' best suites.
Used Books Under $4
AD
Thriftbooks.com/read-more-for-less
Report Ad
Find Your Favorite Books Online. Free Shipping Available. Shop Now!
Our Tampines Hub a hotbed of passion as football fans throng the venue to catch Champions League final screening Singapore's football fans create an electrifying atmosphere at Our Tampines Hub for
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League showdown on
0 comments:
Post a Comment