Barcelona crowned La Liga champions

Treble-chasing Barcelona are La Liga champions for the fifth time in seven years after a clinical Lionel Messi strike secured a 1-0 victory away to Atletico Madrid that wrapped up the title with a game to spare.

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick for Real Madrid in their 4-1 victory away to Espanyol but Barca cannot be caught now with a four point lead.

Messi combined with Pedro Rodriguez and then slotted home from the centre of the penalty area with 65 minutes gone.

It had been a cagey game but the talent of the Argentine shone through again to break the deadlock and help Luis Enrique to his first piece of silverware at the helm of Barcelona.

The Catalan side have dominated the list of La Liga titles in recent years and remain on course to repeat their trophy treble of 2009.

They are through to the Champions League final on June 6 to face Juventus and will play Athletic Bilbao in the King’s Cup showpiece on May 30.

Results:

Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Cordoba 1-2 Rayo Vallecano

Deportivo Coruna 2-0 Levante

Elche 2-3 Athletic Club

Getafe 1-1 Eibar

Espanyol 1-4 Real Madrid

Real Sociedad 0-3 Granada CF

Sevilla 2-1 Almeria

Valencia 1-1 Celta Vigo

Villarreal 2-1 Malaga 1