Soccer

Unbeaten Barcelona seal title with four games to go

Catalans win La Liga again as Messi grabs hat-trick to down Deportivo La Coruña

FC Barcelona players are given a guard of honor by Deportivo de la Coruna players. Photograph: PA
FC Barcelona players are given a guard of honor by Deportivo de la Coruna players. Photograph: PA
Sun Apr 29 2018 - 21:49

Deportivo La Coruña 2 Barcelona 4

Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions for the 25th time after beating Deportivo La Coruna 4-2 on Sunday with the help of a hat-trick from talisman Lionel Messi.

The Catalan club only needed a draw to clinch the title and complete an eighth domestic double after winning the Spanish King's Cup last week and they marched into a 2-0 lead with goals from record signing Philippe Coutinho and top scorer Messi in the first half.

Deportivo striker Lucas Perez pulled one back for Deportivo five minutes before halftime and Turkish midfielder Emre Colak levelled for the Galicians in the 64th minute.

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Lionel Messi celebrates with Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez at the Riazor stadium in Coruna. Photograph: Getty Images
Lionel Messi celebrates with Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez at the Riazor stadium in Coruna. Photograph: Getty Images

Struggling Deportivo came close to finding a winner and becoming the first team to beat Barca in the league this season.

But Argentine maestro Messi had other ideas, restoring Barca’s lead from close range in the 82nd minute before completing his treble with his 32nd league goal of the season.

Ernesto Valverde’s unbeaten side have 86 points from 34 games, 11 clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

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