Deportivo La Coruna v Barcelona – Story of the match
Posted Monday, April 30, 2018 by PA
A Lionel Messi hat-trick against Deportivo La Coruna clinched Barcelona’s seventh LaLiga title in the last 10 years.
After Depor had fought back from two goals down to equalise through Lucas Perez and Emre Colak, Messi struck twice in the final 10 minutes to secure a 4-2 victory and the trophy with four games to spare.
There were contrasting emotions at the end of the match, with Barca’s on-pitch celebrations a touch muted perhaps in respect for their opponents, for whom the defeat confirmed relegation.
Tweet of the day
Star man – Lionel Messi
If this has not been a vintage LaLiga season, the difference between Barca and the rest has been Messi, so it was fitting he had the final say. The Argentinian wizard’s speed of thought and feet around the box helped him to yet another hat-trick – the 46th of his career.
Moment of the match
All of Barca’s goals were exceptional but the nonchalance with which Luis Suarez crossed with the outside of his foot for Messi to side-foot home the second smacked of a team yet to lose a league match.
Stat of the day
Ratings
Deportivo La Coruna: Ruben 8 (out of 10), Juanfran 6, Raul Albentosa 6, Fabian Schar 6, Luisinho 6, Celso Borges 7, Guilherme 7, Michael Krohn-Dehli 7, Emre Colak 7, Borja Valle 8, Lucas Perez 8. Subs: Sulley Muntari (for Guilherme, 83) 5, Fede Cartabia (for Valle, 86) 5, Florin Andone (for Borges, 87) 5.
Barcelona: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 6, Nelson Semedo 6, Gerard Pique 6, Samuel Umtiti 6, Jordi Alba 6, Ivan Rakitic 6, Sergio Busquets 6, Philippe Coutinho 7, Ousmane Dembele 7, Lionel Messi 9, Luis Suarez 8. Subs: Denis Suarez (for Dembele, 68) 8, Paulinho (for Coutinho, 74) 6, Andres Iniesta (for Rakitic, 87) 5.
Who’s up next?
Celta Vigo v Deportivo La Coruna (LaLiga, May 5)
Barcelona v Real Madrid (LaLiga, May 6)
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