Played
May 11, 2011 7:00 PM BST
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia — Valencia
Referee: José Paradas
Attendance: 17000
May 11, 2011 7:00 PM BST
Estadio Ciudad de Valencia — Valencia
Referee: José Paradas
Attendance: 17000
41′
Felipe Caicedo
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| Levante | 15.00 | 11.00 | 13.00 | 11.00 | 15.00 | 11.00 |
| Draw | 4.75 | 5.00 | 4.50 | 5.10 | 1.15 | 4.50 |
| Barcelona | 1.30 | 1.29 | 1.30 | 1.27 | 5.00 | 1.39 |
Top of the Match
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Flop of the Match
Piqué
Barcelona
Barcelona
Piqué
Barcelona
Barcelona
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Levante 1-1 Barcelona: Pep Guardiola's men clinch third-successive La Liga title with Seydou Keita on target in draw
The visitors needed a point to become champions with the head-to-head ruling in Spain and they duly obliged to pip Real Madrid to the post once again in the title race
By Paul Macdonald
Getty Images
Barcelona have been crowned La Liga champions for the third consecutive season after securing a 1-1 draw with Levante in Valencia.
The Camp Nou giants required just a single point from their final three fixtures in order to top the pile in La Liga once again, and achieved their target at the first attempt thanks to a stunning Seydou Keita header. Felipe Caicedo levelled for the hosts, but the party had already begun for Pep Guardiola and his players.
The Barca supporters in attendance, in addition to the gathering masses in Catalunya, waited expectantly for their team to make the breakthrough so that the title celebrations could commence.
After a patient opening spell, a glorious goal opened the scoring and settled the nerves of the watching Barca faithful.
Xavi collected the ball on the right flank, and drifted an inch-perfect delivery into the area to meet the run of Keita, who threw himself full-length to head the ball home from just inside the area.
The midfielder's strike should have represented an opening of the floodgates, with the champions-in-waiting expressing themselves, but Levante have been in superb form in the second half of the campaign, and drew level before half-time.
The goal, however, owed much to the dreadful defending of Gerard Pique, who, with Caicedo at his back, attempted to hook the ball clear, but woefully sliced his kick, allowing the Ecuadorian striker to round Victor Valdes and slide home.
Messi was once again at the heart of their attacking play in the second half. Before the hour mark the Argentine produced a mesmerising run that sliced through the home back line, but as Munua approached, his placed shot rebounded off the inside of the post and dramatically rolled to safety.
The diminutive forward then went on another dribble, but this time his effort was deflected and rolled agonisingly wide of the target.
Barca knew the job was done, though, and retained possession, and energy, in the closing stages, counting down the seconds until their efforts across the campaign were rewarded.
The whistle eventually came, to a resounding chorus of 'Champions' from the stands as the visitors secured the title with two games to go and have a Champions League final meeting with Manchester United still to come on May 28.
The Camp Nou giants required just a single point from their final three fixtures in order to top the pile in La Liga once again, and achieved their target at the first attempt thanks to a stunning Seydou Keita header. Felipe Caicedo levelled for the hosts, but the party had already begun for Pep Guardiola and his players.
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.44 | Draw £47.50 | Levante £80.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.40 | Draw £43.30 | Levante £70.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.44 | Draw £42.00 | Levante £70.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.40 | Draw £45.00 | Levante £70.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.40 | Draw £40.00 | Levante £85.00 |
|
The Barca supporters in attendance, in addition to the gathering masses in Catalunya, waited expectantly for their team to make the breakthrough so that the title celebrations could commence.
After a patient opening spell, a glorious goal opened the scoring and settled the nerves of the watching Barca faithful.
Xavi collected the ball on the right flank, and drifted an inch-perfect delivery into the area to meet the run of Keita, who threw himself full-length to head the ball home from just inside the area.
The midfielder's strike should have represented an opening of the floodgates, with the champions-in-waiting expressing themselves, but Levante have been in superb form in the second half of the campaign, and drew level before half-time.
The goal, however, owed much to the dreadful defending of Gerard Pique, who, with Caicedo at his back, attempted to hook the ball clear, but woefully sliced his kick, allowing the Ecuadorian striker to round Victor Valdes and slide home.
Messi was once again at the heart of their attacking play in the second half. Before the hour mark the Argentine produced a mesmerising run that sliced through the home back line, but as Munua approached, his placed shot rebounded off the inside of the post and dramatically rolled to safety.
The diminutive forward then went on another dribble, but this time his effort was deflected and rolled agonisingly wide of the target.
Barca knew the job was done, though, and retained possession, and energy, in the closing stages, counting down the seconds until their efforts across the campaign were rewarded.
The whistle eventually came, to a resounding chorus of 'Champions' from the stands as the visitors secured the title with two games to go and have a Champions League final meeting with Manchester United still to come on May 28.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
46 | 4 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
34 | 6 |
|
Radamel Falcao Striker Atlético Madrid |
28 | 8 |
|
Roberto Soldado Striker Valencia |
21 | 5 |
|
Negredo Striker Sevilla |
20 | 3 |
