Barcelona celebrated wrapping up the La Liga title in style by picking up a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

 

Real Madrid had already handed Barcelona the La Liga crown after their 1-1 draw at Espanyol Saturday, and Barcelona stamped their authority on the league with another three points which sees them go ten points clear at the top of the table.

 

After a goalless first half, Radamel Falcao gave Atletico Madrid the lead in the 51st minute, with Barca looking like tasting defeat on a day which was supposed to be celebrated.

 

However, Alexis Sanchez equalized in the 72ndminute for the away side, before an own goal from Gabi gave Barcelona all three points.

 

There was a cause for concern, however, with Barca talisman Lionel Messi having to come off the field after seemingly aggravating his hamstring injury, but even that did not take away from the fact that Barca had won their 22nd La Liga title.

 

“We’ve been the better team in La Liga, without a doubt,” Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova said. “We knew that we had to win as many points as possible at the start of the season because big teams usually drop points in the first games of the year.

 

“We started off well and that gave us a good advantage. After that, when everyone said the league was already won, we were mentally strong to hold off a Real Madrid side that played an exceptional second half of the season.”

 

Atletico Madrid gave Barcelona a guard of honor before the game, with the title win confirmed by a 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Espanyol.

 

Jose Mourinho expectedly fielded a weakened side, with the Copa Del Rey final against Atletico Madrid looming large on Friday.

 

Cristian Stuani opened the scoring for Espanyol in the 28th minute, with Gonzalo Higuain striking the equalizer just before the hour mark.

 

That result meant Barcelona enjoyed a seven point lead with Real having just two games remaining in the season.

 

“First of all I want to congratulate Barcelona, their coaches, their players, their managers and their fans,” manager Mourinho said. “They have just won the league title, which was ours until now, and I think the least we can do is congratulate them.

 

“The League has a new champion and you’re talking to me about one player. Last season we won and wanted, justifiably, to speak about a great league campaign and I think it makes sense at this point is to congratulate the champion.

 

“You should give the champions the importance they deserve.” (SWR)