Player ratings as Lionel Messi's treble seals win to crown Barcelona champions

Andy West 01:23 30/04/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Barcelona claimed their 25th La Liga title on Sunday as a Lionel Messi hat-trick secured a thrilling 4-2 victory at Deportivo La Coruna that wrapped up the league with four matches to spare.

    Ernesto Valverde’s men completed a league and cup double after thrashing Sevilla 5-0 in last week’s Copa del Rey final, regaining the Spanish crown from Real Madrid and relegating Deportivo in the process.

    Barca extended their unbeaten streak to 41 league matches to seal a seventh title in 10 seasons and keep their bid to go through the season without tasting defeat intact.

    DEPORTIVO

    Ruben 6 – A brilliant flying stop denied Messi’s free-kick, but he should have kept out the Argentine’s volley at his near-post a few minutes later. Made a great late save from Pique.

    Juanfran 6 – Looked good coming forward, regularly giving Alba problems, but struggled to contain the threat posed by Coutinho in the opening period.

    Albentosa 6 – Nearly levelled with a header from a corner. Defended with determination against Suarez and made a brilliant block to deny Messi a go-ahead goal at 2-2.

    Schar 6 – Made some good defensive interceptions but missed an absolute sitter by heading over from close range in the first half. Came close with another header in the second period.

    Luisinho 5 – Regularly beaten by Dembele’s pace, looking every day his 32 years. Had a fair amount of possession but was conservative in his use of the ball.

    Guilherme 6 – Steady and solid in the centre of Depor’s midfield, keeping possession ticking over and also performing a good defensive role in front of the back four.

    Perez 7 – Had a goal rightly disallowed for offside but the former Arsenal man was luckier a little later, firing home an excellent left-footed strike. Played with intensity and desire, running all night.

    Krohn-Dehli 6 – The veteran often found himself over-run in midfield, especially near the end in a very open finale, but also showed his quality on the ball.

    Colak 8 – Lots of classy touches in the playmaker role, curling a 20-yard shot narrowly wide and sending one excellent pass inches beyond Borja, then coolly converting the equaliser with his cultured left foot. Too good for the Segunda Division.

    Borges 6 – Offered a good outlet on the left wing, including a perfectly weighted pass to Colak for the leveller, but could have done more to help out defensively.

    Borja 6 – Fired a shot over the top from distance early on, then produced an excellent assist for Perez’s strike, but was largely kept quiet.

    SUBS

    Cartabia, Muntari, Andone. Came on for the final few minutes but had no chance to impress.

    Lionel Messi (L) was on form.

    Lionel Messi (L) was on form.

    BARCELONA

    Ter Stegen 7 – Made a superb save to keep out Albentosa’s header, and produced a key low stop from Schar’s header to prevent Deportivo from taking the lead. No chance with either goal.

    Semedo 6 – Carried out some desperate defensive work as Deportivo pressed in the first half, but suffered from the lack of help forthcoming from Dembele and never looked comfortable.

    Pique 5 – An unusually poor game from the generally reliable centre back, struggling with the movement of Borja and the pace of Perez. Nearly scored in the last minute but his shot was saved.

    Umtiti 6 – Found himself under siege for the middle third of the game but did his best to hold things together, making some last-ditch challenges.

    Alba 6 – Unusually vulnerable defensively, at least partly because he received little help from Coutinho as he had to virtually defend the whole flank by himself, but never stopped running,

    Dembele 6 – Nice pass to Coutinho for the opener, but was hit and miss and regularly conceded possession. First player to be substituted, again showing Valverde’s lack of trust in the Frenchman.

    Busquets 5 – Unable to exert his usual influence, struggling to subdue the creative talents of Deportivo playmaker Colak and falling short of his usual tally of passes.

    Rakitic 7 – Another prominent display in the centre of midfield, continuing his excellent season, although he should have done more to challenge Colak for the leveller.

    Coutinho 7 – Struck a splendid opener to set Barca on their way to victory. Plenty of involvement and some excellent creative moments in a bright attacking display, but did little to defend his left flank.

    Messi 9 – Nearly netted a spectacular free-kick, but didn’t need to wait long as he soon converted a cushioned volley. Prompted and probed all night, and ended up symbolically deciding the title with two late goals for yet another hat-trick.

    Suarez 7 – Frustrated in the first half hour, but then he lofted a brilliant pass for Messi to strike. Missed a big chance at 2-2 but soon superbly found Messi two more times for the third and fourth goals.

    SUBS

    Denis 7 – Came on for Dembele with 30 minutes remaining and helped tighten up the midfield as Barca took control in the final stages.

    Paulinho 7 – Like Denis, he strengthened the centre of the pitch after coming on for Coutinho.

    Iniesta N/A – Sentimental late entrant, allowing him to be on the pitch as Barca sealed his 32nd and last trophy with the club.

    Recommended