Barcelona travelled to Granada on Week 38 needing to better Real Madrid's result against Deportivo La Coruna in order to claim a 24th La Liga title.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a first-half double for Real Madrid in La Coruna, but Luis Suarez also netted a brace in the first period as Barcelona took a two-goal lead into the interval.
Suarez then completed his hat-trick in the 86th minute as Barcelona recorded a 3-0 win and secured a second successive La Liga title by a single point.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.31pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage for the 2015-16 campaign concludes from Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Barcelona. Victory for the visitors this afternoon would secure a 24th La Liga title, but any slip would open the door for second-place Real Madrid to snatch the crown. Granada have struggled for most of the season, but secured safety with a 4-1 win at Sevilla last weekend.
2.34pmWeek 38 is upon us and the destination of the La Liga title has still not been decided, which is a big surprise considering Barcelona's form for much of the campaign. The Catalan outfit are still expected to finish the job this afternoon, but it would not be a surprise if there were twists and turns! Kickoff for both Barcelona and Real Madrid's trip to Deportivo La Coruna is 4pm UK time.
2.37pmReal Madrid need a big favour from Granada to stand a chance of winning the title, but the omens are not exactly great for the home side this afternoon. Indeed, Granada have lost 15 of their last 17 league games with Barcelona and only managed one victory in the process. That sole success came in April 2014 in this very stadium, when Algeria midfielder Yacine Brahimi secured a 1-0 win.
2.41pmThat said, Granada have lost six of their last eight matches against Barcelona on home soil and were beaten 3-1 in the corresponding match last season. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, hit a hat-trick when the two teams met in the reverse league clash at Camp Nou in January. The last five league games between these two teams have seen 15 Barcelona goals scored and just two for Granada.
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2.44pmIt did appear that it would be a three-way race for the La Liga title entering this weekend's fixtures, but Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 at Levante last Sunday to end their challenge. Atletico can still finish level on points with leaders Barcelona, but they would then lose out on the head-to-head record. That would be very tough to take for Diego Simeone if both Barcelona and Real Madrid lost this afternoon!
2.47pmReal Madrid are 32-time winners of La Liga, but Los Blancos have not claimed the top prize since 2012 and have had to watch both Barcelona and Atletico enjoy success in recent seasons. Barcelona are the massive favourites to claim a 24th title today and continue their dominance of Spanish football, but Granada certainty have the capabilities of causing some problems.
2.50pmIndeed, Granada secured their safety in Spain's top flight with a 4-1 victory at Sevilla last weekend and the Andalusian side have actually won three of their last four in the league – including a thumping 5-1 victory over Levante in this stadium on April 21. Under Jose Gonzalez, El Grana have started to show some improvements and the pressure is firmly off their shoulders in this match.
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2.53pmTen wins, nine draws and 18 defeats have brought Granada 39 La Liga points this season and while they are facing a battle to improve on last season's finish of 17th, they will play La Liga football for a sixth straight campaign next term. One look at their squad suggests that they should be pushing for a top-half finish, however, rather than battling against the drop season after season.
2.56pmThere would have been a very different atmosphere inside the stadium if Granada needed to win this afternoon to stay in the league, but they will be allowed to play with freedom and that might be a problem for Barcelona, who you sense will need to collect all the points. I shall be keeping an eye on matters with Real Madrid, but you can follow live commentary of their trip to Deportivo here.
2.59pmWhat's more, Granada have actually only lost one of their last seven league games on home soil and just twice since the start of February. In recent weeks, they have beaten Sporting Gijon, Levante and Las Palmas in this very stadium, in addition to drawing with Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano and Malaga. They are not too far away from being a top-half La Liga side in my opinion.
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3.02pm
#GranadaFCB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 14 May 2016
The players are out on the pitch at the Nuevo Estadio Los Cármenes#FCBLive pic.twitter.com/oTiOSBzqvv
3.05pmRight, the team news is just reaching us at Los Carmenes so let me bring you up-to-speed. Who has Luis Enrique tasked with bringing home the La Liga title this afternoon? Let's find out...
3.08pmTEAMS:
GRANADA: To follow
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
3.11pmStill waiting on Granada, but as for Barcelona, Claudio Bravo is still not fit to return from a calf problem, leaving Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks. It is otherwise the Catalan outfit's strongest XI, with Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar all selected in the final third. Dani Alves also keeps his spot at right-back, while Ivan Rakitic joins Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta in midfield.
3.14pmGranada have still not released their official team news, but I will bring you up-to-speed when the information becomes available to us. I have touched on the home side and their recent form, so let's move on to Barcelona, who as mentioned, will win the 2015-16 La Liga title with all three points. A point would also be enough if Real Madrid fail to overcome Deportivo in La Coruna.
3.17pmOn March 12, Barcelona had just beaten Granada 6-0 and had moved 11 points clear of second-place Atletico and 15 clear of third-place Real Madrid in the table. The race should have been over and it did appear that the Catalan giants would wrap up the championship with weeks to spare. It should not have reached this point, but credit to Real Madrid for making a real fist of it late on.
3.20pmA 2-2 draw at Villarreal on March 20 was far from disastrous, but Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run came to an end when they lost at home to Real Madrid on April 2. They needed to bounce back against Real Sociedad one week later, but lost 1-0 at the Anoeta, before a third straight league defeat came at home to Valencia on April 17. Talk of a crisis had begun at Camp Nou...
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3.23pm... Atletico and Real Madrid kept winning and managed to close the gap, but Barcelona had breathing space and put eight past Deportivo on April 20, before thumping Sporting Gijon 6-0 at home three days later. Enrique's side then won 2-0 at Real Betis, before beating Catalan rivals Espanyol 5-0 last weekend. It was some response to an apparent crisis at Camp Nou!
3.26pmAs a result, Barcelona will enter this match having won their last four in the league without conceding and having scored 21 times in the process. They will look to wrap up the title this afternoon and then claim a double when they face Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final on May 22.
3.29pmTEAMS:
GRANADA: Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Costa, Lomban; Perez, Rico, Doucoure; Rochina, El-Arabi, Penaranda
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
3.32pmThe Granada team news is in! Jose Gonzalez has made two changes to his XI this afternoon, with David Lomban and Fran Rico replacing Cristiano Biraghi and Isaac Cuenca, who have both dropped to the bench. Ruben Rochina, Youssef El-Arabi and Adalberto Penaranda will all start in the final third, while Ricardo Costa and Jean-Sylvain Babin continue at the heart of the defence.
3.35pmPlayed 37, won 28, drawn four and lost five is how Barcelona's La Liga record stands this season. If they collect all the points here, they would win the title with 91 points, which is actually fewer than in their last four title-winning seasons – 99, 96, 100 and 94. Statistics will not matter, however, as long as they manage to get over the line this afternoon. Kickoff is around 25 minutes away here!
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3.38pmMuch has been made of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez throughout the season and the trio actually faced criticism during Barcelona's slump and elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico. However, all three have contributed to another impressive campaign and Suarez will be looking to add to his 11 goals in his last four league appearances this afternoon.
3.42pmSuarez has netted 56 goals in 51 games for Barcelona this season, including 37 in 34 appearances in the league. Messi has had his problems, but has managed 41 goals in 47 appearances – 26 of which have come in the league. Finally, Neymar, who has been criticised in recent weeks, has 30 in 47 appearances, including 24 in the top flight. Not bad, not bad at all! All three start this afternoon.
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3.45pmDown the other end, Barcelona have the second best defensive record in the league with 29 conceded, which is five better than Real Madrid. Atletico have only shipped 18 goals in another incredible defensive campaign, but Barcelona's numbers at the back are impressive. Goal difference in Spain does not count for much, but for what it is worth, Barcelona's is plus 80!
3.48pm
The warm-up is under way. #GranadaFCB #fcblive pic.twitter.com/fmlfo2IMlO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 14 May 2016
3.52pmPREDICTION! I am finding it very difficult to back against Barcelona this afternoon. I like the look of this Granada team and I expect them to cause the visitors some problems, but for me, Barcelona will run out comfortable winners and claim the La Liga title. Score prediction? I'll say 3-1 Barcelona.
3.55pmJust a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon's match...
GRANADA: Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Costa, Lomban; Perez, Rico, Doucoure; Rochina, El-Arabi, Penaranda
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
0 minKICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Three points for Barcelona and they will win the La Liga title once again. Can Granada do Real Madrid a favour this afternoon? We shall see! The away side kick things off here...
2 min... as expected, Barcelona have taken control of the early possession and Granada have dropped into a defensive shape. Neymar was a slight doubt for this match after picking up an injury in the warm-up, but the Brazilian has made it and is hugging the touchline in the early exchanges here.
4 minIt must be said that the pitch is very dry this afternoon, while the grass is long. That will not suit Barcelona's style and there is no question that Granada are doing everything they can to throw the away side off their rhythm! Nothing much to report inside the opening four minutes in Andalusia.
5 minRochina has the chance to deliver a free kick into the Barcelona box, but it is comfortable for Ter Stegen, who has kept his spot in the team due to Claudio Bravo's continued absence. Down the other end, Neymar wins a free kick from Perez, who seemed to stand on the ankle of the Brazilian.
6 minNeymar is back on his feet, but Perez is not. In making the challenge, the Granada midfielder's foot seemed to twist and it did not look pretty at all. Might need to be an early change in this game.
7 minEventually the free kick comes in from Messi, but El-Arabi is on hand to make the clearance. Play then stops once again when Pique and Ricardo Costa clash inside the box. Now, now lads!
7 minSAVE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to take the lead as Pique rises unchallenged inside the Granada box, but the centre-back's header is saved by Andres Fernandez!
4.08pmUPDATE! Ronaldo has sent Real Madrid 1-0 ahead at Deportivo!
10 minSo, as it stands, Real Madrid are La Liga champions. However, there is still a lot of football to be played this afternoon! El-Arabi has the chance to run away from the Barcelona defence as Granada launch a counter, but Mascherano is across to challenge and the striker's effort lacks power!
11 minSAVE! Fernandez tips a swerving Messi effort over the crossbar from distance!
13 minCHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Messi plays a stunning pass into Neymar, who takes one touch before attempting to convert, but Lomban is across to challenge!
14 minFernandez keeps out a Pique header as the pressure from the away side continues here.
16 minIniesta decides to have a pop from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Messi is absolutely running the show at the moment as the Argentine continues to pick up space in the final third of the field. Granada need to find a way of keeping possession in the Barcelona half!
18 minAll Barcelona here as Enrique's side continue to pass and probe in the final third. Alba and Alves are almost playing as wingers at the moment, with Pique and Mascherano the last line of defence. Just a reminder that as it stands, Real Madrid are top of La Liga due to their 1-0 lead at Deportivo.
19 minDoucoure screws an effort wide for the home side as Granada enjoy a rare break forward.
20 minBOOKING! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on El-Arabi.
22 minGOAL! Granada 0-1 Barcelona (Suarez)
23 minBarcelona make the breakthrough in the 22nd minute as Suarez converts a low Alba cross at the far post. It was a super move from the visitors and Suarez just could not miss from close range!
25 minBarcelona have a free kick in a dangerous position as Lopes handles under pressure from Suarez...
26 min... Messi curls towards goal, but Fernandez is on hand to make the save and can settle Granada down. In truth, it would be very difficult to see the home side coming from two goals behind.
27 minMessi slides a super pass into Suarez and the striker rounds Fernandez, but just takes the ball too wide and Granada have defenders back to make the clearance. Some more news from La Coruna...
4.27pm... UPDATE! Ronaldo has sent Real Madrid 2-0 ahead at Deportivo!
29 minBarcelona seem to have a problem with Mascherano, which has led to Mathieu going through a fairly intense warm-up on the sidelines. I will keep a close eye on that one. So, 29 minutes on the clock and Barcelona lead 1-0, while Real Madrid are currently two goals ahead away at Deportivo.
32 minPatient football from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes as they wait for their moment to pick that pass in the final third. Still nothing much for the home supporters to get excited about here. El-Arabi has looked a threat, but Ter Stegen has been largely unworked in the away side's net.
34 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and not too much has happened in terms of chances since Suarez made the breakthrough. For me, there are still plenty more goals in this one.
36 minThe home supporters are doing their best to raise their team, but it is all Barcelona at the moment as the visitors continue to control the tempo of this match. Alves and Alba continue to make ground in the final third and that is leaving Mascherano and Pique as almost a two-man defence.
38 minGOAL! Granada 0-2 Barcelona (Suarez)
39 minThat man again! Barcelona have their second of the match as Alves refuses to give up on a long ball and manages to deliver a super cross into Suarez, who heads past Fernandez from close range!
40 minNeymar drives to the edge of the Granada box before attempting to curl one towards the far corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The home side are struggling here!
43 minSo, no real surprises in La Liga as things stand! Real Madrid are 2-0 up at Deportivo, but Barcelona lead 2-0 here and as it stands, the Catalan outfit would claim the La Liga title. With the greatest will in the world, I cannot see Granada scoring three times without conceding to turn this one around.
45 minGranada are leaving all sorts of space in their defensive third here and Barcelona are simply picking passes for fun. I must admit that I expected a bit more from the home side in this first period.
45 min+1Just the one minute of additional time at the end of the first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Granada 0-2 Barcelona
4.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Granada 2-0 courtesy of a double from a certain Luis Suarez. Real Madrid are currently 2-0 ahead at Deportivo, but as it stands, the La Liga crown will be staying at Camp Nou. Barca are very close now!
4.52pmSTATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 78%, while they have had eight attempts - six of which were on target. Granada, meanwhile, did not manage an attempt on target in the first 45 minutes. Just the one yellow card to report - Busquets in the 19th minute of action.
4.57pmSo, here is how La Liga stands at the interval...
46 minRESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. can Granada find a route back into this match? We shall see! The home side resume the action...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minJust a reminder that Barcelona will have the chance to win a domestic double next weekend if they finish the job this afternoon. Sevilla are waiting in the Copa del Rey final and while there will be no repeat of the treble from last season, a domestic double would still be seen as an impressive season!
51 minRakitic feeds the ball into Suarez as Barcelona come close once again, but the striker just cannot squeeze free of Babin and Granada, who are under severe pressure, manage to clear it behind.
53 minAnother half-chance for Barcelona as Alves races down the right before delivering a super cross into Suarez, but the striker just cannot make contact at the final moment. How Suarez would love to score a hat-trick on the final weekend of the season. I still really fancy him to notch a third here.
54 minBOOKING! Doucoure (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
55 minSAVE! Fernandez uses both fists to beat away a free kick from Messi.
58 minCHANCE! Stunning chance for Granada to register as Fran Rico breaks through on goal, but Ter Stegen is on hand to make a smart save. That would have made things very interesting indeed!
60 minSAVE! Super save from Fernandez as the Granada stopper keeps out a low strike from Neymar, who just had to stretch in order to meet the low cross from Suarez.
62 minBOOKING! Perez (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
65 minAnother opportunity for the away side as Messi feeds a super pass into Alves, who delivers towards the near post, but Fernandez is on hand to make the save. Granada could have been five or six behind in this match if it were not for the performance of their Spanish goalkeeper here.
65 minBOOKING! Rico (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Iniesta.
67 minGranada just need to be careful that they do not lose their heads in this match as the late challenges continue to arrive. Perez in particular is quite fortunate to have avoided a red card.
67 minHalf-chance for the home side, but Babin misses the target with a header.
70 minLittle over 20 minutes of this second period remaining and little over 20 minutes until Barcelona are confirmed as La Liga champions for the second successive season. Real Madrid still lead 2-0 at Deportivo, but they need a favour from Granada late on. Granada need to score twice here.
72 minNot too much to report in the last few minutes, but Granada are having more of the ball in the final third. In truth, the visitors should have finished this game off with a third in the second period.
73 minMascherano has a problem for Barcelona after over-stretching when clearing the ball. Meanwhile, Suarez has gone down in a heap in the final third. Dropping like flies at the moment here!
74 minHandbags at the moment as both sets of players clash in the middle of the park!
74 minBOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for dissent.
75 minBOOKING! Fernandez (Granada) is booked for dissent.
76 minBARCELONA SUB! Mathieu replaces Mascherano for Barcelona.
77 minBOOKING! Costa (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
78 minGRANADA SUB! Barral replaces El-Arabi for the home side.
80 minBARCELONA SUB! Arda Turan replaces Rakitic in Barcelona's second change.
82 minHardly anything to report in the last 10 minutes apart from bookings and changes! Barcelona are very, very close to being crowned La Liga champions. It has been comfortable this afternoon.
82 minGRANADA SUB! Doria replaces Costa in Granada's final change.
85 minLittle over five minutes of the second period remaining in Granada and Barcelona still lead 2-0 courtesy of that first-half brace from Suarez, who now has 39 La Liga goals for the season.
86 minGOAL! Granada 0-3 Barcelona (Suarez, hat-trick)
87 minSuarez has his hat-trick! Wonderful work from Neymar as the Brazilian races through before squaring to Suarez, who just cannot miss from close range. Barca are heading for the title!
88 minBARCELONA SUB! Roberto replaces Busquets for the away side.
90 minBarcelona clear a Granada free kick and the away side are very close to securing the crown!
90 min+1Three additional minutes have been added at the end of the 90.
90 min+2Granada have enjoyed most of the possession in stoppage time, but much of the focus is on the Barcelona bench, which is ready to evade the pitch!
90 min+2POST! Barral hits the post for Granada as the home side come close late on!
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Granada 0-3 Barcelona
5.49pmBARCELONA ARE LA LIGA CHAMPIONS!
5.52pmPlenty of people on the pitch at the moment as the Barcelona players are ushered down the tunnel! Not the greatest scenes due to safety concerns, but Barcelona are the champions once again!
5.55pmThanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again and be sure to look out for the reaction from this match, which will be available later tonight. Until next time!
