Barca clinch La Liga with one game to spare

Barcelona have been crowned champions of La Liga after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

Diego Simeone’s side claimed the title with a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou on the final day of last season, but Lionel Messi’s second-half goal saw Barca gain revenge this time around by winning the Primera Division at the Calderon.

Luis Enrique’s men took a four-point lead over fierce rivals Real Madrid into the 37th round of matches and their victory in the capital means they have won La Liga with one game to spare.

Champions in five of the last seven seasons including this one, the Catalans now have 23 Primera Division titles and this trophy is the first for coach Luis Enrique.

But there is likely to be more to come as the Blaugrana meet Athletic Club at Camp Nou in the final of the Copa del Rey on May 30 and are also in action against Juventus in the Champions League showpiece on June 6.

While Barca triumphed in Madrid, Real were winners in the Catalan capital as they beat Barca’s local rivals Espanyol 4-1, but their win counted for little and los Blancos have now won La Liga only once in the last seven seasons.
Meanwhile Manchester United and Arsenal played a 1-1 draw in the English Premier League. Manchester United missed out on the chance to climb to third in the table as Theo Walcott’s deflected strike secured a point for Arsenal.

Ander Herrera gave United the lead in the first half as he volleyed in Ashley Young’s left-wing cross at the back post.

But the Gunners had the better of things after the break, with David De Gea saving well from Olivier Giroud.

The result means Arsenal remain two points above fourth-placed United in the Premier League and can avoid a potentially tricky Champions League play-off tie by beating relegation-threatened Sunderland in their midweek game in hand.

Manchester City are guaranteed a top-three finish following their 4-2 win over Swansea City earlier on Sunday.

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