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La Liga | Gameweek 35
Apr 27, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Levante logo

1-0

Messi (62')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Barcelona seal La liga title courtesy of Lionel Messi goal

Levante are beaten at the Nou Camp

Lionel Messi fittingly scored the goal which ensured Barcelona retained their LaLiga title with a 1-0 win over struggling Levante.

The Argentina international, rested for the first half as coach Ernesto Valverde had one eye on next week's Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool, scored his 34th league goal of the season.

With three matches remaining, a nine-point lead over Atletico Madrid and a superior head-to-head, an eighth title in 11 years was secured, although amazingly it was the first time since 2010 they had clinched it at the Nou Camp.

They remain on track for a third treble since 2009 with the Copa del Rey final against Valencia next month.

However, it was far from straightforward against opponents who belied their position just three points clear of the relegation zone with a bold display which could, and probably should, have earned them a point.

Philippe Coutinho looked to be giving that little bit extra with a visit from his former club on the horizon and he could have had a first-half hat-trick as Barca's best chances fell to him.

The best by far was a 25th-minute free header eight yards out which he directed straight at Aitor Fernandez, having seconds earlier failed to properly test the goalkeeper when finding space on the left of the penalty area.

Philippe Coutinho was heavily involved in the first half
Philippe Coutinho was heavily involved in the first half (Mike Egerton/PA)

Coutinho also hit the crossbar with a free-kick having taken responsibility off another ex-Red Luis Suarez, who was first to test Fernandez with a shot on the run he took early to catch out his opponent only to see his effort turned behind.

Messi replaced Coutinho for the start of the second half and was soon into his stride, although a run and low shot was comfortable for Fernandez, while Ivan Rakitic bent a shot just wide.

There was, however, only one man who was going to score the goal which retained the title and in the 62nd minute Messi struck, controlling Arturo Vidal's header with one touch back onto his left foot before placing a shot beyond Fernandez and inside the far post.

But Levante's confident performance up to that point had proved they had not come to the Nou Camp to wave through Barca's title coronation and substitute Jose Luis Morales should have scored when he out-paced the defence but he blazed over.

Despite the lead Barcelona were far from convincing, offering hope to Liverpool they can nick a crucial away goal or two next week, and in the last minute another substitute Enis Bardhi hit the post to almost spoil the party.

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde pictured on November 24, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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