Barcelona are champions of Spain. On Sunday evening the Blaugrana picked up a 1-0 away win over last season’s La Liga champions Athletico Madrid at the Vincente Calderon.

Barca were the dominant team in the fixture and would have felt unlucky not to have had at least a first half penalty when Lionel Messi’s header struck the arm of an Athletico defender.

But Barca finally broke the deadlock with 65 minutes on the clock, Leo Messi proving decisive yet again.

The 27-year-old received a pass inside the area from Pedro, coolly dragged the ball past a

defender with his first touch and duly stroked it beyond Oblak’s reach through a crowd of players.

The Catalans then held on with relative comfort to earn Luis Enrique the title in his first season in charge.

Second-placed Real Madrid beat Espanyol 4-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a brace, but the celebration for Madrid was muted by the fact that Barca were already champions.

In England, the big match of the day was between old foes Manchester United and Arsenal in a race for third place. Home side United had the better of the first half exchanges and deservedly took the lead through Under Herrera, who jabbed in Ashley Young’s cross from outside left.

Arsenal sprang to life in the second half, and substitute Theo Walcott’s shot deflected off Tyler Blackett’s legs before beating substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdez, who was making his premiership debut since he signed for the Red Devils this year.

Arsenal are two points above Man. United and a win in their outstanding game on Tuesday night at home against Sunderland will secure an automatic spot in the European Champions League for Arsenal. The 2014/2015 English Premiership ends this Sunday, May 24.

•Photo shows Barca match winner Lionel Messi.

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