Barcelona have clinched their 23rd Spanish La Liga title, their 5th in the last 7 seasons, in style at the Vicente Calderon stadium after beating their hosts Atletico Madrid 1-0, thanks to Lionel Messi’s second half winner.

The home team had won the title following a 1-1 draw against Barca in Camp Nou exactly a year ago. In that match, Alexis Sanchez had put Barca ahead first but a Diego Godin header later made sure the Madrid team had the crown in the 2014 season when Messi was mostly far from his magical form.

But things were different for the Argentinean ace and his side on Sunday afternoon. Although it was the hosts who seemed determined to stop Barca from securing the title with a match to go in the season at the beginning, the Catalans did better along the way and moved the ball around more comfortably as their rivals ran around in its pursuit.

Barcelona players are celebrating the 2015 Spanish league victory after beating hosts Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon stadium. 

The moment of truth for Messi finally came in the 65th minute when he did a one-two with Spain international Pedro inside the box and, just as there was enough space among the Atletico defenders, he shot the ball to the far corner that beat a desperately diving Jan Oblak.  

 The Catalans wasted other opportunities that could relieve their supporters before the match finished. But the brilliant number 10’s goal proved to be the only one at the Calderon which sealed not only the away match but the 2015 championship for the Blaugrana.  

The Spanish giants will now focus on their finals both in the country’s Copa del Rey on May 30th and the UEFA Champions League on June 6th in hope of completing the treble this year.