Barcelona romp to title after Luis Suarez hat-trick
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Updated 14/05/2016 at 17:30 GMT
La Liga, Nuevo Los Carmenes - Granada 0 Barcelona 3 (Suarez 22', 38', 86')
Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Granada FC vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
Barcelona clinched the Spanish Liga title after a hat-trick from Luis Suarez gave them the three points they needed against Granada to finally overcome rivals Real Madrid in a captivating title race.
With all to play for on the final day of the league season, Zinedine Zidane’s side, who were a point behind their rivals at the start of play, scored through Cristiano Ronaldo in the seventh minute at Deportivo La Coruna.
The Portuguese winger doubled his side’s lead in the 25th minute, but his goal came shortly after Luis Suarez notched his first of Barcelona’s match at Granada with a simple tap in from Jordi Alba’s cross.
When the Uruguayan added a second after Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves combined to set him up, the title race looked over before half-time in both matches.
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Barcelona's Luis Suarez (C) celebrates goal with team mates Lionel Messi (L) and Jordi Alba
Image credit: Reuters
He added a third with five minutes remaining after Neymar set up the simplest of chances, to put the icing on the cake for the Catalans. Luis Enrique’s men could now double their haul of trophies next week when they face Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey final on Sunday, May 22.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, could still lift the Champions League trophy if they beat city rivals Atletico next Saturday.
TALKING POINT
Is Luis Suarez now Barcelona’s best player?
For so long the question “who is the best?” has only had two possible answers: Messi or Ronaldo. Now there is a third option, however. Luis Suarez finished his Liga campaign with 40 goals to his name and must be considered a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or this year. The former Liverpool striker has taken his game to the next level at Barcelona. He is truly one of the best.
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Luis Suarez celebrates his second goal as Barcelona beat Granada to clinch their 24th title
Image credit: Reuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan striker wasn’t just Barcelona’s Man of the Match, he has been their Man of the Season. With 40 goals to his name he was the difference for the Catalans. Without him Real Madrid might well have been lifting silverware today. This was a demonstration of everything that makes him so good, hassling and harrying Granada throughout. Suarez is a force of nature and showed that with his hat-trick.
PLAYER RATINGS
Granada - Fernandez 8, Lopes 6, Babin 5, Costa 6, Lomban 5, Doucoure 5, Rico 7, Rochina 6, Perez 5, Penaranda 5, El Arabi 5. Subs - Cuenca 7, Barral 5, Doria 5.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Alves 8, Mascherano 7, Pique 7, Alba 7, Busquets 6, Rakitic 6, Iniesta 7, Messi 6, Neymar 7, Suarez 9. Subs - Mathieu 5, Roberto 5, Turan 5.
KEY MOMENTS
7’ NASTY ONE! Perez was naughty with a late stamp on the ankle of Neymar, although it's the Granada man not the Brazilian who seems to be in the most trouble, rolling about on the ground.
9’ WHAT A TREMENDOUS SAVE! Pique looked certain to head home the opener for Barcelona from a set piece, but Fernandez did so well to claw the ball back off his goalline.
12’ ANOTHER SAVE FROM FERNANDEZ! Messi takes the shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the Granada goalkeeper watched it all the way and tipped the effort over the bar.
21’ GOAL! Granada 0 Barcelona 1: There's the goal that Barcelona so desperately wanted! Alba gets the cross into the penalty area and Suarez is on hand to apply the finish from close range.
25’ WAS THAT A PENALTY? Lopes handles the ball as it makes its way through to Suarez, but the incident clearly happened out the box, despite the protests of the Barcelona players.
38’ GOAL! Granada 0 Barcelona 2: And that should probably be that for Barcelona! Mascherano's long ball over the top is caught by Alves, who crosses for Suarez to head home.
55’ FERNANDEZ SAVE FROM MESSI! The Barcelona number 10 lines up the free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, but he can only draw the save from the Granada goalkeeper.
59’ BIG CHANCE FOR GRANADA! A nice passing move from the home side sends Rico through on goal, but from 12 yards out he can't beat Ter Stegen, with the German making the save.
62’ BIG CHANCE FOR NEYMAR! The Brazilian was presented with the opportunity of a shot from a tight angle, but Fernandez pulls off the stop to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
67’ TER STEGEN READ THAT WELL! Rico jumped highest from a set-piece and heads a corner kick towards goal, but the Barcelona goalkeeper allows it to drop on top of the net.
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Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016. Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his t
Image credit: AFP
85’ GOAL! Granada 0 Barcelona 3: He has his hat-trick! Suarez has scored three goals to win the Liga title for Barcelona. A fitting close to the season. Neymar's freekick gave the striker a tap in.
KEY STATS
Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have equalled Xavi Hernandez as the player with the most Liga wins - eight.
Luis Suarez finished the 2015/16 La Liga season with 40 goals, with the striker winning the Pichichi.
Barcelona have won their 24th league title, their sixth in the last eight Liga seasons.
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