Saudi Assistant Minister holds defense cooperation talks in Pakistan    GACA fines for civil aviation violations exceed SR5.3 million in Q1    NMDC showcases innovation and saustainability at AACE conference    Attack sends message to Iran but Israelis divided over response    Children among seven dead in Russian strike on Dnipropetrovsk region    US vetoes Palestinian attempt to gain statehood at the United Nations    Saudi Arabia expresses regret over UN Security Council's decision on Palestinian membership    Beijing half marathon: Top three stripped of medals after investigation    Taylor Swift releases surprise double album    Markets rocked as US says Israel has struck Iran    Centuries-old defensive moat and fortification wall unearthed in Historic Jeddah    Dhul Qadah 29 is the last day for Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom 90-day duration of visa begins from the date of entering the Kingdom; Hajj Ministry clarifies    'Saudi hospitality sector to generate SR42 billion investments and 120,000 jobs by 2030'    Poignant shot from Gaza wins World Press Photo of the Year 2024    Saudi Pro League postpones Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli match; Al-Ahli rejects rescheduling    50% traffic fine reduction takes effect    Al Ain ends Al Hilal's record streak with a 4-2 win in AFC Champions League semi-final    'Zarqa Al Yamama': Tickets now available for Saudi Arabia's first opera premiering April 25    Turki Alalshikh announces groundbreaking 5 vs 5 Riyadh Season bout featuring international boxing stars    Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces shortlist for AlMusalla Prize, set to revolutionize musalla architecture    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Barca seals 24th La Liga title
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 15 - 05 - 2016

Barcelona sealed its 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge.

Real registered its 12th consecutive La Liga win, 2-0 at Deportivo la Coruna thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's double, but finished a point behind its bitter rivals.

Suarez's treble also sees him become the first player in seven years other than Ronaldo and Barca teammate Lionel Messi to win the Pichichi award for La Liga's top goalscorer with 40.

Barca had seemed set to cruise to the title until a run of three consecutive defeats for the first time in 13 years last month.

However, it bounced back like champion as, inspired by Suarez's 14 goals, it scored 24 times without reply in the last five games to win the title.

Barca was put under pressure early on as Ronaldo struck after just seven minutes to put Madrid in front in A Coruna.

Gerard Pique was twice denied by Andres Fernandez from corners, whilst the Granada goalkeeper also tipped over Messi's driven effort from the edge of the area.

Barca's nerves were settled by a brilliant team move on 22 minutes as Neymar freed Jordi Alba down the left and his low cross was turned into an empty net by Suarez at the back post.

Suarez then doubled Barca's advantage when he nipped in ahead of Fernandez to head in Dani Alves's cross at the near post.

Neymar nearly rounded off a brilliant first 45 minutes for the champions as he shot just wide at the end of a surging individual run.

Fernandez made excellent saves from a Messi free-kick that was arrowing toward the top corner and Neymar to keep Granada in the game after the break.

And the Andalusians had the chance to set up a nervy finish but former Barca winger Isaac Cuenca's shot was beaten away by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
However, fittingly Suarez sealed a stunning season when he completed his hat trick from Neymar's unselfish square pass.

Madrid's record 12-game winning streak to end the season wasn't enough to overcome the 12-point deficit it faced to Barca back in March.

However, victory secured second place ahead of Champions League final opponent Atletico Madrid, whilst Ronaldo moved past the 50 goal mark for the sixth consecutive season.

The three-time World Player of the Year opened the scoring as he swept home Karim Benzema's mishit effort at the back post.

Ronaldo's second was slightly fortuitous as his header was deflected past the helpless Stipe Pletikosa by Pedro Mosquera.

However, the Portuguese could have had four before he was replaced at half-time with one eye on the Champions League final on May 28 as he also hit the post and the crossbar before the break.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane also withdrew Gareth Bale 15 minutes from time to keep the Welshman fresh as the visitors played out the second-half in the knowledge Barca was in command in Granada.


Clic here to read the story from its source.