Messi scores hat-trick, Barca crowned La Liga champion four games early

Goals: Perez 40', Colak 64' - Coutinho 7', Messi 38', 82', 85'

Barca needed just one point at Deportivo to win La Liga 2017-2018. The Catalans not only achieved that goal but also went ahead early when they opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Philippe Coutinho was the one who broke the deadlock with a chip into the top corner of the home team's goal.

Continuing to play well in attack, Barca doubled the gap with only seven minutes left in the first half. The situation started from a flick from Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi volleyed the ball, causing it to bounce off goalkeeper Ruben and fly into the goal.

Leading by two goals early, Barca played a bit loosely. As a result, Deportivo took advantage of the opportunity to shorten the gap. In the 40th minute, Lucas Perez reduced the score to 1-2 when he easily tapped the ball in after a cross from the left wing.

Not only did Deportivo reduce the gap to one goal, they also surprised Barca in the second half. Also from a coordinated flank attack, the home team leveled the score at 2-2 with Emre Colak's tap-in in the 64th minute.

If Deportivo come from behind to win, they will delay Barca's coronation day. This is the reason why coach Clarence Seedorf's students played with more excitement in the remaining half of the second half. Deportivo even almost succeeded when they launched a header in the 70th minute, forcing goalkeeper Ter Stegen to save right on the goal line.

Faced with the prospect of missing out on an early title, Barca were forced to score. And Messi was the one who helped the leading team advance to glory with two consecutive goals within four minutes.

In the situation to increase the score to 3-2 in the 82nd minute, M10 coordinated a pass with Luis Suarez and then kicked the ball, hitting the post and ricocheting into the goal. Not long after, also from Luis Suarez's pass, Messi dribbled past two defenders before shooting past goalkeeper Ruben.

With 86 points after 34 games, Barca have 11 more points than second-placed Atletico. With Atletico having only three games left (Barca have played less due to not making up for Villarreal), the Catalans have secured the title early.

This is the 25th time Barca have won La Liga, and the ninth time in the last 14 seasons. In the remaining five seasons, Real have won four times and Atletico once.

Real is still the team with the most championships: 33. Barca is second, followed by Atletico (10 championships), Bilbao (8), Valencia (6), Sociedad (2), Deportivo, Sevilla and Betis (all 1).