FC Barcelona win the Liga BBVA at the Vicente Calderón

The Liga BBVA has a new champion. On Sunday, FC Barcelona lifted their 23rd league title after beating Atlético Madrid 0-1 at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi in the 65’ minute.

The game got off to a pulsating start, with both sides playing at a very high intensity and putting on a good show of football right from the outset. Atlético were the first side to come close to a goal, with a great header from José María Giménez that Claudio Bravo cleared with a fantastic stretching save. Following that, Lionel Messi took on the leading role for Barcelona and was responsible for trying to combat the great start by the rojiblancos. The Argentinian almost made it 0-1 on three separate occasions, the clearest being a free kick that was stopped by the crossbar. Just before the break, Jan Oblak saved Atlético with a sensational stop from a strong shot by Dani Alves.

The game continued at a frenetic pace following the half-time break, with a chance for Fernando Torres in the early stages of the second half that was saved by Bravo. Soon afterwards, in the 65’ minute, Messi was once again the centre of everyone’s attention with a goal that would be decisive. Following a one-two with Pedro Rodríguez inside the area, the Barcelona '10' put the ball in at the back post to beat and Oblak and unleash a frenzy from the visiting supporters. Despite the fact that Guilherme Siqueira had a golden chance to get the draw with a long-distance shot that grazed the bar, Barcelona were crowned champions of the Liga BBVA for the 23rd time.