Saudi deputy FM meets Sudan's Sovereign Council chief in Port Sudan    Kuwait, India to elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership Sheikh Mishal awards Mubarak Al-Kabir Medal to Modi    MoH to penalize 5 health practitioners for professional violations    Al-Samaani: Saudi Arabia to work soon on a comprehensive review of the legal system    Environment minister inaugurates Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal    Germany's attack suspect reportedly offered reward to target Saudi ambassador    U.S. Navy jet shot down in 'friendly fire' incident over Red Sea    Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 20 people, including five children    Trudeau's leadership under threat as NDP withdraws support, no-confidence vote looms    Arabian Gulf Cup begins with dramatic draws and a breathtaking ceremony in Kuwait    GACA report: 928 complaints filed by passengers against airlines in November    Riyadh Season 5 draws record number of over 12 million visitors    Fury vs. Usyk: Anticipation builds ahead of Riyadh's boxing showdown    Saudi Arabia to compete in 2025 and 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments    Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Oscars buzz for playing 'difficult' woman    PDC collaboration with MEDLOG Saudi to introduce new cold storage facilities in King Abdullah Port Investment of SR300 million to enhance logistics capabilities in Saudi Arabia    Al Shabab announces departure of coach Vítor Pereira    My kids saw my pain on set, says Angelina Jolie    Legendary Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73    Eminem sets Riyadh ablaze with unforgettable debut at MDLBEAST Soundstorm    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    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.