Messi strikes to hand Barcelona title

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score Barcelona’s winner against Levante, delivering an eighth Spanish Liga title in 11 years for the Catalan club. 

With one eye on next week’s Champions League semi final against Liverpool, Ernesto Valverde decided to rest Messi and Sergio Busquets. However, Barcelona needed their main man in the second half and he delivered the decisive moment. 

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
¡CAMPEEEEOOOOOONES!
¡CAMPEEEEOOOOOONES!
¡CAMPEEEEOOOOOONES!

ALEEE! ALEEEE! ALEEEEE!
💙❤ #WeColorLaLiga pic.twitter.com/JE5rQfgMIq

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2019

Barcelona had chances to open the scoring in the first half, with Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez coming particularly close. Coutinho looked the liveliest for the Catalans, striking the woodwork with an exceptional free-kick just before the break. 

CHAMPIOOOOOOOOONS!
🏆 @LaLiga 2018-19
🙌 Captain Leo #Messi
🔵🔴 #WeColorLaLiga pic.twitter.com/GL3cTcljsh

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2019

However, it was Coutinho was came off to be replaced by Messi and the Argentine broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, squeezing a finish underneath Aitor Fernandez after cutting inside on to his left foot in trademark fashion. 

Levante came back into the match as Barcelona started to show some nerves, but the Catalans got over the line. 

They can now focus on the Champions League semi-final clash against Liverpool without distractions.