Barcelona secure La Liga title with three games to spare after victory over Levante at Camp Nou
Ernesto Valverde’s side needed a win to claim the title in front of their own fans after Atletico Madrid beat Valladolid 1-0 earlier in the day and they got it thanks to Lionel Messi, who came on as a second-half substitute to score the winner.
The victory sees the Catalans stay nine points clear of the Rojiblancos with three rounds of the competition remaining and their superior head-to-head record in the two league meetings between the teams this term means they cannot be caught.
It is a second successive La Liga title for Valverde, an eighth in 11 seasons for Barcelona and a 10th for Lionel Messi, which sees the Argentine attacker surpass nine-time winner Andres Iniesta to set yet another record at the Catalan club.
In Pictures | Barcelona vs Levante | 27/04/19
Barca now turn their attentions to the Champions League, in which they will face Liverpool over two games in the semi-finals, starting with the first leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
The Blaugrana are also on course for a possible treble as they meet Valencia in the final of the Copa del Rey on May 25th.
Philippe Coutinho was bright for Barcelona in a one-sided first half. The Brazilian hit the bar with a fierce free-kick and saw several more efforts saved by Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.
He had started alongside Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez as coach Ernesto Valverde kept one eye on Liverpool by starting with Messi on the bench.
But the Argentine came on at the start of the second half and produced the decisive moment as he so often does, turning in the box and firing past Aitor after 62 minutes to put the Catalans in front.
Some poor decision-making by the Barca forwards and a few more saves by Aitor prevented the Blaugrana from adding to their lead, but Levante had their chances to spoil the party late on.
Substitute Jose Luis Morales blasted over with only Marc-Andre ter Stegen to beat and an Enis Bardhi effort hit the post right at the end, bouncing back out into the grateful arms of the German goalkeeper.
The final whistle went soon afterwards and the fans were jubilant, as well as relieved, as the celebrations got under way.
14 mins: Ivan Rakitic is booked for a foul on Borja Mayoral. The Croat will now be suspended for Barca's trip to Celta Vigo next weekend, although they may well have wrapped up La Liga before that...
13 mins: Arthur with a neat pass through to Alba on the left, but the defender is caught by a Levante players and the move breaks down...
12 mins: Barca's fans in great voice. They want to see their team win La Liga here tonight...
11 mins: Dembele cuts the ball back from the byline on the right, but it goes straight to a Levante defender. Barca are lacking the final pass at the moment...
8 mins: Barcelona building up slowly around the Levante box, but the final ball goes straight through to Aitor and the visitors clear... for now!
7 mins: Levante get a ball into the box from the left, but Barca clear...
5 mins: Barca close again from the corner as they play it short, Jordi Alba back-heels to Coutinho and his curling cross is glanced just wide at the far post by Clement Lenglet...
5 mins: Patient build-up play by Barca and the ball ends up at the feet of Coutinho, who finds space, takes a few steps forward and unleashes a powerful shot that is pushed around the post by Aitor...
3 mins: Luis Suarez tries a shot from outside the box, but it's comfortable for Aitor...
2 mins: Ousmane Dembele gets into the box on the right and forces Aitor Fernandez into a save at his near post with a fierce angled effort...