Magical Lionel Messi hat-trick gives Barcelona third title in four years

A fabulous hat-trick from Lionel Messi gave Barcelona a 4-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, thereby securing the La Liga title.

Barcelona came into the match needing just a point to be crowned champions and they got off to the best possible start when January signing Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring after just seven minutes.

And Messi doubled their lead with a delightful finish half-an-hour later, becoming the first player to ever score 30 or more goals in seven different seasons.However Depor hit back through Lucas Perez and then Emre Colak as they started to cause Barca problems with their long balls.

Barca retaliated through another brilliant finish from Messi, after a fantastic one-two with Luis Suarez, who recorded three assists, and the Argentine then completed his hat-trick minutes later.

Andres Iniesta was then given time to continue his farewell tour as he came on for the final few minutes, receiving a standing ovation from everyone inside the Riazor. The result relegates Deportivo, who have looked doomed for some time.

Has Philippe Coutinho shown enough to suggest Barca will be just fine without Andres Iniesta? He took some time to grow accustomed to his new surroundings in Spain, but Coutinho is now finding his feet as a Barcelona player. His well-taken opener set the Catalans on their way at the Riazor, but he was also central to their attacking play throughout. Injuries have set him back, but Coutinho is already a key player for his new side. This suggests that Barcelona will be just fine in the post-Iniesta age.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) The scary thing about this performance from the best player on the planet was that for the majority of the match, he was a peripheral figure. He might have scored Barcelona’s second goal, but Messi was somewhat subdued in the opening 45 minutes, only coming to life when his team needed him late in the second half. But when he did come to life, Depor couldn’t cope with him, bagging a hat-trick to secure the title for the Catalans in style.

Deportivo La Coruna - Martinez 7, Juanfran 6, Albentosa 5, Schar 7, Luisinho 5, Guilherme 6, Borges 7, Colak 7, Krohn-Dehli 6, Lucas 7, Valle 6. Subs - Muntari 4, Andone 4.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 7, Semedo 6, Pique 5, Umtiti 6, Alba 6, Rakitic 6, Busquets 5, Coutinho 8, Dembele 6, Messi 8, Suarez 7. Subs - Denis 5, Paulinho 4, Iniesta 4.

7’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-1 Barcelona: Barcelona have taken the lead within the opening 10 minutes! Dembele plays the pass back to Coutinho 10 yards out and the Brazilian sweeps home a sweet finish, finding the far corner of the net.

39’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Barcelona: What a sensational goal and it's Messi who gets it! Suarez spotted the run of his teammate at the back post, with Messi meeting the cross on the full volley, squeezing home the finish at the near post. Wow.

40’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 1-2 Barcelona: The home side have given themselves a lifeline in this game! An immediate response. Lucas met the cross first time and sends a low shot into the bottom corner of Ter Stegen's net! Great finish.

64’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 2-2 Barcelona: An equaliser for the home side! They worked it so well! The ball was played to the back post, with Colak set up for the shot with a cushioned pass, and he made no mistake in sweeping home the finish.

81’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 2-3 Barcelona: That's the goal that should secure the title for Barcelona! Messi feeds Suarez, who in turn feeds the Argentine. He had time to finish at the near post, passing into the back of the net! What a goal!

85’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 2-4 Barcelona: If it wasn't already secured, it is now. Messi passes his way through the Depor defensive line, getting the return ball from Suarez and slotting the finish past Martinez. Great goal.

Luis Suarez provided the assists for all three of Lionel Messi’s goals this evening.

Lionel Messi became the first player in La Liga history to score 30 or more goals in seven different seasons.