Lionel Messi Lands His 10th LaLiga Title Scoring The Only Goal In Barcelona Win
Lionel Messi expectedly and fittingly so scored the only goal as Barcelona triumphed over Levante to wrap up things and ultimately retain their Laliga title.
Ernesto Valverde seemed to have his eyes on their semi-final clash with Liverpool scheduled for midweek and consequently rested the Argentine for the first forty-five minutes of the clash.
But Lionel Messi got onto the turf in the 46th minute before going on to score his 34th league goal of the season.
Barcelona clinched the title for a record eight times in the last 11 years on the brink of three games remaining. The Blaugranas have a 9-point lead and superior head to head over second-placed Atletico Madrid but it is surprisingly the first time since 2010 where they will lift that title in Camp Nou.
Barcelona look set for a treble with an impending Copa del Rey final with Valencia next month and a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
That said, things didn’t go so well at first for the Spanish giants against Levante who belied their position just three points clear off the drop zone.
Philippe Coutinho could have easily raced to a first half hatrick as Barca’s best chances in the half fell to him, only for the Brazilian to squander those chances.
Quite memorably, Coutinho failed to convert a free header from eight yards out as he directed it straight at Aitor Fernandez before hitting the crossbar from a freekick position after picking up the responsibility from Luis Suarez.
Lionel Messi came on for Coutinho and swiftly changed the whole complexion and dynamics to the game.
In the 62nd minute, that brilliant substitution by Ernesto Valverde paid off with Messi getting on the scoresheet.
The Frontrunner for European golden shoe award controlled Arturo Vidal’s header with one touch back, switched to his left foot and sending the ball beyond the reach of Aitor Fernandez into the far post.
Despite the win, Barcelona looked far from convincing, offering hope and belief that Liverpool could get a crucial away goal.
