A Lionel Messi hat-trick — with all three goals being assisted by Luis Suarez — and a solitary strike from Philippe Coutinho lifted Barcelona to a 4-2 victory over Deportivo on Sunday, securing the club’s 25th La Liga title with four matches still to play.
Real Madrid could yet ruin Barca’s unbeaten domestic campaign in next Sunday’s El Clasico, but a seventh La Liga title in 10 years was a fitting reward for a club that’s currently gone through 34 match days unbeaten (26 wins and 8 draws).
Coutinho opened the scoring in the seventh minute after an assist from Ousmane Dembele. The Brazilian forward’s finish was unstoppable, and his third league goal in 14 appearances for Barca.
¡GOLAZO! Al @FCBarcelona_es le rinde y @Phil_Coutinho ya le da la ventaja a los blaugranas -#DepórBarça pic.twitter.com/uowCcAoZyM
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 29, 2018
Barcelona doubled their advantage in the 38th minute after a brilliant pass from Suarez teed up Messi at the far post.
¡La conexión que no falla! De @Dembouz a @LuisSuarez9, del uruguayo a Messi y del capitán del día a las redes. #DepórBarça (0-2) pic.twitter.com/K1HSsFEolq
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 29, 2018
Remarkably, Barcelona had thrown away the lead by the 64th minute following goals from Lucas Perez and Emre Colak. It wasn’t until the 82nd minute when Barca regained the lead, Messi scoring his brace with Suarez again playing the provider.
¡Otra vez la conexión @LuisSuarez9 - Messi! Doblete de la pulga y a 8' del final el @FCBarcelona asegura el título de @LaLiga #DepórBarça pic.twitter.com/BzTNnbfKVt
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 29, 2018
In the 85th minute, Barcelona secured the victory and the title after Suarez again fed Messi for his hat-trick.
¡Hat-Trick de Messi! Uno más del @FCBarcelona y parece todo definido en Riazor cuando el marcador se pone 2-4 #DepórBarça pic.twitter.com/38qMKlFtwx
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) April 29, 2018
Campeoooones, campeooooones oeoeoeoeeeee
#7heChamp10ns
Força Barça! pic.twitter.com/4YLSqjH4IB— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 29, 2018