else
Lionel Messi nets hat trick as Barcelona claim La Liga title

Lionel Messi nets hat trick as Barcelona claim La Liga title

April 30, 2018   02:30 am

-

  Barcelona became La Liga champions for the seventh time in the past 10 years with a 4-2 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor on Sunday.

Depor were relegated for the first time since the 2012-13 season with the result.

The Catalan club extended their league record unbeaten streak to 34 matches while securing the Blaugrana’s second trophy of the season after lifting the Copa del Rey in stylish fashion earlier this month.

The league title marks boss Ernesto Valverde’s first as a manager and sees his side rise to an unassailable 11 points above second-placed Atletico Madrid with a game still in hand.

And the party started after seven minutes when Philippe Coutinho sweetly stroked his shot across Deportivo goalkeeper Ruben and into the far corner from an Ousmane Dembele pass.

Lionel Messi seemed to put the match away in the 38th minute but Lucas Perez answered two minutes later to give Barca something to think about during the break.

Emre Colak evened the score after 64 minutes. However, two late goals by Lionel Messi sealed the twin -- and the title -- for Barca.

ESPN

Most Viewed Video Stories

🔴LIVE | Ada Derana Midday Prime News Bulletin

🔴LIVE | Ada Derana Midday Prime News Bulletin

Sri Lanka's fiscal consolidation must be consistent with political feasibility - IMF Deputy Director (English)

Indian PM Modi holds bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan PM Harini (English)

President convenes National Operations Council for 'Ratama Ekata' anti-drug program for first time (English)

SC dismisses petitions challenging India-Sri Lanka Digital ID MoU (English)

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana 12.00 Midday News Bulletin

Sri Lanka must stay the course, reforms remain crucial: IMF stresses in Washington DC (English)