..::Football IV::..

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De Gea is happy at Manchester United - Mata

Juan Mata says David De Gea is happy at Manchester United, despite the goalkeeper's desire to join Real Madrid at the start of the season.

A deal was all but done for De Gea to move to the Spanish capital on the final day of the transfer window last September, but a deal fell through as the relevant paperwork was not submitted on time.

The former Atletico Madrid shot stopper was voted as United's Player of the Year for the third consecutive season and, although talk of a return to his homeland has persisted, reports in Spain have indicated it is more likely De Gea will remain in Manchester.

And compatriot Mata told The Mirror: "I think everybody can see that De Gea is very happy. He feels the love of the fans, being voted the best player of the season for a third time in a row."He's happy in the city, he's happy with us, with his team-mates and he's performing very well.

"I think he's very calm and he's focused on finishing the season well, trying to win the FA Cup and, after that, trying to be focused with Spain in the Euros. So he's very calm and I'm not nervous about his future."

Mata also spoke of teammate Marcus Rashford’s chances of being included in the England squad for Euro 2016."Obviously England have a lot of strikers and it has to be difficult for Roy Hodgson to pick some of them," Mata added.

"But Rashford is very young and if it's not this time, he will have time to be in great competitions with England in the future because he's very talented and his confidence is growing week after week."

 

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Lewandowski first Bundesliga player to break 30-goal barrier in 39 years

Robert Lewandowski has confirmed his status as the Bundesliga’s leading marksmen by breaking the 30-goal mark courtesy of a first-half strike against Hannover on Saturday.

The Poland international has pulled away from Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to wrap up the division’s Golden Boot, as well as posting the biggest goal haul since 1977.

Koln’s Dieter Muller was the last player to break the 30-goal barrier, netting 34 times in the 1976-77 as his side finished fifth, while Bayern Munich’s Gerd Muller still holds the record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga campaign (40).

Since then, just two players have come within a single strike of hitting the 30-goal benchmark – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981 and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in 2012.
But it is Lewandowski who has finally done it, bagging his 30th league goal of the season with a deflected strike against Hannover after just 12 minutes - also becoming the first foreign player to reach that landmark.

It marks Lewandowski’s most prolific season to date, scoring 42 goals in all competitions and leading the Bundesliga's scoring charts for the second time, having also taken the honour two years ago with Dortmund.

The 27-year-old’s goals have helped Bayern secure the third successive league title of Pep Guardiola’s reign before he leaves for Manchester City, with Lewandowski picking up his fourth winners’ medal.

 

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Congratzzzzzzz LEW!​

 

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Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Koln: Reus rescues draw for Tuchel's men on final day

Borussia Dortmund maintained their unbeaten record at home by salvaging a 2-2 draw against Koln on the last day of the Bundesliga season thanks to a deflected Marco Reus free-kick.Gonzalo Castro put Dortmund ahead after 11 minutes, picking out the top corner from outside the box with a fantastic curling effort.

Koln were soon level when Anthony Modeste was played in by Marcel Risse and slid home from close range, and the visitors took the lead before half-time.

Leonardo Bittencourt found Milos Jojic behind the sleeping Dortmund back line and the midfielder lobbed Roman Burki with a superb first-time shot to score against his former club.

The away side would have become the first side to do the double over Dortmund this season, but goalkeeper Thomas Kessler was deceived by Reus' set-piece with 15 minutes to play.The draw means Dortmund set a new club record for home points won in a season (45), while the 82 goals scored is also a new best for the side.

After a low-tempo start to the game, Dortmund took the lead with a special goal.
Castro was given too much time and space outside the box and he curled an unstoppable strike into Kessler's top corner.Koln should have been level but Bittencourt screwed a shot wide after being picked out by Risse.

However, the visitors did equalise after 27 minutes, breaking their run of four visits to Signal Iduna Park without scoring a goal.Sloppy Dortmund midfield play set up a rapid Koln break and Modeste finished off Risse's low cross with aplomb.

Marco Reus then almost grabbed a spectacular goal, though his volley from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's cross went flying narrowly over the crossbar before Kessler tipped over Castro's swerving drive.

A bad touch prevented Adrian Ramos from converting a great chance after 42 minutes and Koln immediately compounded that poor control with another stunning goal on the counter.

Bittencourt's lofted throughball was timed perfectly for Jojic to run beyond the Dortmund defence and lift a superb volleyed lob over the advancing Burki and into the goal.

Mats Hummels tricked his way into the Koln box shortly after half-time, but his barnstorming run was brought to an end by the referee's whistle after the departing defender handled the ball.

Burki prevented Koln from adding a third goal after 66 minutes, blocking Pawel Olkowski's close-range shot after more good work from Risse, then saving Modeste's prodded finish.The visitors had looked the likelier scorers but Dortmund levelled after 75 minutes when Reus' free-kick flicked off the wall to beat Kessler.

Koln's point means they finish in the top half of the Bundesliga for the first time since the 1991-92 campaign, while Thomas Tuchel's side will now turn their attention towards next Saturday's DFB-Pokal final, where they face league champions Bayern Munich.

 

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Granada 0-3 Barcelona: Suarez hat-trick clinches Liga title

Barcelona have defended their Liga title after a hat-trick from Luis Suarez secured a 3-0 victory over Granada on Saturday.

Real Madrid's victory away to Deportivo La Coruna was not enough as Barca sealed a comfortable victory to achieve a final points tally of 91 - one more than their fierce rivals - and claim a 24th top-flight crown.

Suarez tapped in Jordi Alba's low cross to give Luis Enrique's men the lead, becoming the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to score 38 goals in a single Liga season since Hugo Sanchez in 1989-90.

Any tension within the Barca camp was eased even further when Suarez headed in from close range just before the break, although they had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for a strong save shortly after half-time which maintained their comfortable advantage.

Granada, who secured their survival with a shock 4-1 win away to Sevilla last week, produced a far more committed performance in the second half but were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when the officials failed to spot Miguel Lopes push his head into Neymar's face.Barca - not helped by an injury sustained by Javier Mascherano - found themselves under increased pressure but showed resilience to hold on to the advantage.

Suarez then netted a late third to end the league season with 40 goals, with the final whistle greeted by wild celebrations from the bench and the visiting support in the upper tier of Los Carmenes.

Barca thought they had snatched an early lead, but the officials judged that Andres Fernandez had done just enough to keep Gerard Pique's header from crossing the line.Lionel Messi stung Fernandez's fingertips from distance and Pique was again thwarted with a header, but any mounting nervousness was quelled as they found a deserved breakthrough on 22 minutes.

Neymar's brilliant return pass sent Alba clear inside the area, and his cut-back was tapped in by the unmarked Suarez for one of the easiest strikes of his prolific season.

Barca looked relaxed in the Granada sun and took another step towards the title seven minutes before the break. Mascherano's raking long pass was hooked back across goal by Dani Alves and Suarez raced in front of Fernandez to steer a header into the net.

Granada responded in the second half and only a save from Ter Stegen denied Fran Rico a lifeline after he raced through the sleeping Barca backline, though Fernandez produced an even better stop to claw Neymar's low effort away from the bottom corner at the other end.

Lopes' rash response to a foul on Neymar went unpunished, but tempers flared once again when Granada refused to put the ball out of play as Mascherano went down in the centre cirle before receiving lengthy treatment on the sidelines.

Luis Enrique had looked pensive on the bench but he led the rapturous celebrations when Suarez slotted home after Neymar's unselfish square pass in a fast break with four minutes to go, as the cries of 'campeones' echoed down from the fans above.

 

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Barcelona crowned La Liga champions

Barcelona have won La Liga following a 2-0 win at Granada, pipping rivals Real Madrid for the second consecutive season, to claim a 24th league crown.

A hat-trick from Luis Suarez, his 38th, 39th and 40th league strikes of the season to win the Pichichi, saw Luis Enrique & Co. secure the three points needed despite Real winning 2-0 over Deportivo La Coruna.

Barcelona have been top since a 2-1 away win at Malaga on January 23 but three consecutive losses during April, a drop in form last seen 13 years ago, allowed Real and Atletico the chance to close the gap.

Atletico's title tilt ended last weekend due to a 2-1 loss at Levante, with both Madrid sides now set to face off in the Champions League final, as they did two years ago, on May 28.

Suarez becomes the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to finish as top scorer in La Liga since 2008–09, when Diego Forlan scored 32 for Atletico Madrid.

Saturday marked the 10th time Barcelona went into the final La Liga matchday with the chance to win the title in their own hands having completed the job on all nine previous occasions, and did so again.

The victory also marked the sixth occasion Barcelona won the Liga title on May 14, the last time coming in 2005.

 

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LA Liga Champions 2015/16​

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Congratulations Barcelona!

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Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Real Madrid: Ronaldo double not enough for the title

Real Madrid made light work of Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor on Saturday but their Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired 2-0 win was not enough to wrestle the Primera Division title from Barcelona.

Zinedine Zidane's men went into their final match of the league season a point behind Barca and an early Ronaldo tap-in put the Catalans under pressure but, in Granada, Luis Suarez's hat-trick in a 3-0 win consigned Madrid to the runners-up spot for a second successive year.

Ronaldo's early effort was exactly what the away side deserved after a fine start and the Portugal star doubled his tally in the 25th minute, heading in with the help of a major deflection.

Ronaldo could have added another two before his half-time withdrawal were it not for the woodwork but he ultimately had to settle for a tally of 35 goals for the campaign.

Madrid produced a rather more lax performance after the break, perhaps a combination of Ronaldo's exit and Barca's lead in Granada, and Keylor Navas had to be alert to keep at bay Rober's header towards the end.

In the end, Zidane's side had little trouble holding on to a routine win but it was not enough to claim a 33rd league title and Los Blancos must now turn their focus to the Champions League final on May 28.

Madrid began like a team with a clear objective and their start was ominous, pressing high and pouring men forward with real intent.

Deportivo looked out of their depth from the off and Madrid's opener in only the seventh minute had an air of inevitability about it, as Gareth Bale breezed past Manuel Pablo and cut the ball back to Benzema, who found Ronaldo for an easy finish.The home side offered little resistance and Madrid doubled their lead 18 minutes later, when Ronaldo headed a Toni Kroos corner in off Pedro Mosquera.

Deportivo were lucky not to find themselves four down by the half-hour mark but Ronaldo struck the post from a tight angle after beating the offside trap, before Stipe Pletikosa thwarted Benzema.

Ronaldo struck the frame of the goal again with 35 minutes on the clock, smashing a left-footed drive against the crossbar from 18 yards as a hat-trick continued to elude him.

Zidane withdrew Ronaldo for James Rodriguez at the break, with the coach seemingly having their upcoming Champions League final date with Atletico Madrid at the forefront of his mind.

Madrid attacked with significantly less purpose after half-time, thus allowing Deportivo a little more freedom - and they almost pulled one back 18 minutes from time but Navas got in the way of Rober's close-range header.

Isco also went close with a header at the other end but the match ultimately petered out as Madrid accepted Barcelona's destiny as champions for a sixth time in eight seasons.

 

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Bayern Munich 3-1 Hannover: Gotze grabs two in final Bundesliga clash

A comfortable 3-1 win over Hannover preceded Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title celebrations as Pep Guardiola enjoyed a triumphant farewell at the Allianz Arena.

Robert Lewandowski gave the champions an early lead, becoming the first player to reach 30 goals in a Bundesliga season since Dieter Muller for Cologne in 1976-77.

Mario Gotze, who continues to be heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, scored a goal in each half of what may also prove to be his goodbye to the Bayern faithful.
Guardiola will sign off officially after next weekend's eagerly anticipated DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund.

Although his team lost focus in the final half hour and Artur Sobiech scored a deserved 66th-minute goal for the relegated visitors, Guardiola's 82nd win from 102 games in a competition he has completely dominated over three seasons was never in doubt.Tougher tests undoubtedly lie ahead at Manchester City for the 45-year-old, who was honoured in a pre-match presentation before Hannover proved to be predictably obliging guests.

Kingsley Coman headed over and Arturo Vidal grazed the top of the crossbar with a sweetly struck half volley before Lewandowski reached his landmark in the 12th minute.

Coman sprung a flimsy Hannover offside trap to surge down the right and pick out Gotze, with Lewandowski on hand to steer home a deflected strike after the Germany international's effort was blocked.

Hannover should have been back on terms midway through the first half when Manuel Neuer spilt Felix Klaus' drive but Iver Fossum scuffed his follow-up into the turf and over.

Coman was involved once more as Bayern made it 2-0, feeding Gotze for the playmaker to glide past a pair of challenges and send a wonderful dinked finish beyond Ron-Robert Zieler.

Lewandowski looked to add to his tally with an improvised backheel and Coman headed against the post, but Waldemar Anton slashing an unmarked volley wide a minute before the interval showed a relaxed Bayern were not up to their usual standards defensively.

A testimonial feel early in the second half was underlined by Neuer making way for former Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to make a Bundesliga debut in Bayern colours – somewhat dubiously granting Germany's number one the top-flight record of 21 clean sheets in a season.And Bayern made it 3-0 as Hannover's abject attempts to clear a 54th-minute corner gave Gotze the opportunity to clip an unerring strike into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Coman shot tamely at Zieler before Ulreich made an impressive first contribution – stretching to fingertip Edgar Prib's long-ranger around the post.

Prib enjoyed a far more presentable chance in the 63rd minute but fired wide off balance when he arrived at the far post.Jerome Boateng then cleared unconvincingly behind as communication with Ulreich appeared lacking and the Germany centre-back was culpable as Sobiech stole in to reduce the deficit, prodding home following a long ball from Ceyhun Gulselam.The wasteful Prib fired too close to Ulreich in the 68th minute as lackadaisical Bayern play threatened to spoil their own party.

Ribery twice went close as the Hannover rally subsided, while Zieler saved superbly from Vidal in the final minute, and Bayern will face an entirely different beast against Dortmund in Berlin next week.

 

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Police arrest man over Manchester United team bus attack

Police have arrested a man in connection with the attack on Manchester United's team bus before their Premier League match against West Ham.

Kick-off in Tuesday's fixture was delayed as a result of the attack, which involved bottles and objects being thrown at the windows of the bus, with police seeking four men in connection with the incident.

Police confirmed on Saturday that a 28-year-old man who presented himself at an east London police station has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and bailed until August, pending further enquiries.Commander BJ Harrington of the Metropolitan Police's Public Order team condemned the ugly scenes outside the final game at Upton Park.

"Behaviour of the kind we saw before Tuesday's match is totally unacceptable," he said. "The vast majority of people were well-behaved, but we are looking to deal with a small minority of individuals who committed criminal acts."

Police have released photographs of the other men they want to speak to in connection with the bus attack, while West Ham have pledged to give life-time bans to those supporters involved.

 

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Benitez undecided on Newcastle future

Rafael Benitez has not yet decided if he will stay at Newcastle United following their relegation from the Premier League.Newcastle dropped into the Championship after Sunderland's win against Everton on Wednesday and Benitez has a break clause in his contract.

The Spaniard confirmed that talks between himself and the club's managing director Lee Charnley are ongoing, with a decision to be made in "a couple of weeks maximum".

"I have a good relationship with Lee," Benitez told reporters at a press conference ahead of Sunday's final Premier League game of the season, at home to Tottenham.

"We have been analysing things. They were quite positive. We will have more meetings."I am disappointed because we couldn't achieve what we wanted to achieve. We have to be professionals for the Tottenham game.

"I want the same as the fans - a successful team, a strong team and to get promoted to the Premier League as soon as possible."If I am here and discussing things, it is because there is a chance [that I will stay] - a good chance. We have to keep talking."

Benitez has also been linked with the vacancy at Everton following the sacking of Roberto Martinez, but insists he has not held talks with the Goodison Park club.

 

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Suarez the first player to beat Messi & Ronaldo to Pichichi in seven years

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has won the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga and becomes the first winner other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since 2009.

The former Liverpool striker finished the campaign with 40 goals, beating Ronaldo into second after he ended the season having found the net on 35 occasions.

Suarez ended the season in style, as a hat-trick in a 3-0 win away to Granada won the league title for Barcelona and handed the Uruguayan the individual award.

Aside from Suarez and Ronaldo, Messi scored 26 times during the season, though he spent two months on the sidelines recovering from an injury during the first half of the campaign.

Suarez's fellow Uruguayan, Diego Forlan, was the last man to win the prize before Messi and Ronaldo dominated, with both having won three times during their illustrious careers.

 

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Congratulations Suarez!

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Juventus 5-0 Sampdoria: Dybala at the double for Serie A champions

Paulo Dybala scored twice as champions Juventus thrashed 10-man Sampdoria 5-0 to end the Serie A season on a high.

Massimiliano Allegri's men warmed up for next week's Coppa Italia final against AC Milan by bouncing straight back from their shock 2-1 defeat by Verona to canter to victory in front of a rapturous home crowd.

Five first-team regulars were restored to the Juve starting XI after Verona ended their 26-game unbeaten run last weekend and the hosts needed just five minutes to open the scoring through a Patrice Evra header, before Sampdoria defender Milan Skriniar was dismissed following a clumsy challenge on Mario Mandzukic.

Dybala's subsequent penalty was his 18th league goal of the season, with the Argentina international's 19th coming in style as he swept home from the edge of the area.

Giorgio Chiellini marked his 400th appearance for the club with a rare goal before a Leonardo Bonucci tap-in concluded the rout five minutes from time.

While Juventus were officially presented with the league title for a fifth consecutive season, defeat meant Samp ended the season having won just two of their last 10 games, piling the pressure on coach Vincenzo Montella, who was already subject to fan protests during the loss to rivals Genoa last time out.

The home supporters were already in a celebratory mood ahead of kick-off and an unlikely source gave them further reason to cheer inside five minutes as Evra peeled off his marker and leapt to convert Dybala's curling free-kick at the far post.

Juve doubled their lead ten minutes later from the spot, with referee Claudio Gavillucci awarding a penalty and sending off Skriniar for hacking down Mario Mandzukic after the Croatia striker had sprung the offside trap.

Dybala promptly stepped up and made it 2-0 by slotting the penalty low to Alberto Brignoli's right in confident fashion.

From that point it was damage limitation for the away side as the champions peppered their goal, Brignoli on hand to twice save smartly from Dybala.Mandzukic then struck the bar with a looping header from a lofted Dybala ball before firing narrowly wide shortly after.

Dybala marked an excellent first-half performance with his second after 36 minutes, collecting the ball in space over 20 yards from goal and curling an unstoppable effort inside the left-hand post.

Juve picked up from where they left off in the second period, Chiellini denied by Brignoli after latching onto a Paul Pogba throughball shortly after the break in his first start since early April.

But the Italy centre-back celebrated his landmark in spectacular fashion in the 77th minute, smashing a half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the box after a cross was weakly punched away by Brignoli.

Bonucci met a knock-down from a corner to tap home from close range and complete Samp's humiliation, applying a fitting final touch to a remarkable league campaign before attention to turns to next Saturday's cup final at the Stadio Olimpico.

 

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Dani Alves reaches 100 La Liga assists

Dani Alves has become the third player in La Liga history to register 100 assists after Lionel Messi and Luis Figo.

The Brazilian set up Luis Suarez’s second in the 3-0 victory over Granada which handed the Spanish title to Barcelona on the final day of the season.

And the assist brought up Alves’ century, the right-back having made his La Liga debut for Sevilla in 2003.

Messi leads the way with 127 assists in La Liga, while in his 10 seasons in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid, Figo set up 105 goals.

 

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Ronaldo surpasses 50 goals for the SIXTH year in a row for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player in history to score at least 50 goals in six consecutive seasons.

The Portugal international scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna on the final day of the Liga season to take his tally up to 51 for the campaign.

In comparison, Lionel Messi netted over 50 goals in three consecutive seasons between 2010 and 2013.

Ronaldo could also add to his total in this month’s Champions League final as Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid in Milan.

But despite his overall haul, Ronaldo was beaten to the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga as Luis Suarez ended the season on 40 goals - five ahead of the 31-year-old.

Ronaldo also lost out on winning this year’s La Liga trophy as Barcelona secured a 3-0 victory over Granada to seal the title.

 

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Congratulations C.Ronaldo!

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Guardiola: I won't return to Bayern

Pep Guardiola does not believe he will return to coach Bayern Munich after the Bundesliga champions celebrated their third straight league title under his leadership with a 3-1 victory over already-relegated Hannover.Mario Gotze scored two and Robert Lewandowski struck his 30th league goal of the season to cement his status as the German top flight's leading scorer.

Guardiola will take charge of Bayern for the last time in next Saturday's DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund and the coach, who will take over at Manchester City next season, ruled out a return to Bavaria.

"I don't think [I will be back]," Guardiola said. "Bayern need a new coach, to fight on another level."Spirits were high at the Allianz Arena despite heavy rain during the trophy presentation, with Guardiola and his players showered with beer as part of the celebrations.

Asked how being covered in beer felt, Guardiola said: "Cold! And it stinks. But it's very good - a great tradition. In Barcelona this does not happen."I am me. After the first title with Bayern, I was still somewhat shy. Today it was better. Defending the league title is outstanding and a great compliment to these players.

"I learned a lot, it was completely different than in Barcelona. A great experience. I'm a better coach, a little bit. It was very good for me, for my development."

Guardiola added that he wishes he could have won the Champions League with Bayern after being knocked out in the semi-finals in each of his three years in charge.

"I could not win the Champions League for my players," he said. "I'm sorry for the fans and especially for the players."From the bottom of my heart, I hope that Carlo Ancelotti can get to the final!"

 

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Dani Alves overtakes Pele as the most successful Brazilian

Dani Alves has overtaken Pele to become the most successful Brazilian footballer of all time.

Alves won the sixth La Liga title of his career on Saturday as Luis Suarez's hat-trick sealed a 3-0 victory over Granada.

The Spanish title is the 30th of Alves' career to date, and the 33-year-old moves one clear of three-time World Cup winner Pele, who won 29 trophies during his playing days.

Alves also hit another landmark on Saturday as he registered his 100th assist in La Liga by setting up Suarez's second of the match.

Only Lionel Messi and Luis Figo have registered more assists in La Liga than the Brazilian right-back.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo: Torres and Griezmann ensure Atleti finish season with a win

Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid rounded off their La Liga season on a high with a 2-0 home win against Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Defeat to Levante last weekend ended Atletico's title hopes but goals from Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann saw Diego Simeone's men finish their domestic campaign with three points.

Diego Godin went close to opening the scoring after six minutes, but his header struck both the crossbar and the post before Fabian Orellana had Celta's best chance of the first half, only to find Jan Oblak in terrific form.

A brace of goals in the space of three minutes shortly after half-time secured the points for Atletico, with Torres brilliantly volleying in the opener after a corner was not cleared.Griezmann then doubled the lead by heading into the open goal after Torres had hit the bar with another acrobatic effort.

Atletico were assured of third place whatever happened, while Celta Vigo, whose defeat was only their second in 10 matches, take sixth spot and qualify for the Europa League.

Simeone's men went close to taking the lead in the seventh minute, but Godin's header somehow stayed out as he was thwarted by the woodwork.

Marcelo Diaz and John Guidetti had efforts blocked as Celta pressed, then a darting Torres run almost created the opener for Atletico before the striker was crowded out in a display of strong defending from the visitors.

Celta had won on four of their previous eight visits to the Vicente Calderon and they would have gone ahead after 36 minutes but for a fantastic save from Oblak.

Nolito's cross was perfect for Orellana to attack and his downward header was firm, but Oblak showed off his fine reactions to make a block from point-blank range.Oblak pulled off another excellent save in the last minute of the first half, plunging to his right to keep out a curling free-kick by Nolito.

And those Oblak saves proved key as Atletico took the lead six minutes after the interval. A corner flicked off the head of a Celta defender and Torres, who is in talks with Atletico over extending his stay, acrobatically volleyed in at the back post.

The points were effectively sealed shortly after when another Torres bicycle kick came back off the bar and Griezmann nodded in the rebound.Oblak was tested again after 61 minutes as Nolito spun away from two defenders and hit a low shot, but the goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

The game grew increasingly tetchy with a handful of yellow cards shown in the closing minutes and Torres received a huge reception as he was replaced by Tiago – who made his return from a broken leg off the bench - as Simeone's side prepared for the Champions League showpiece with arch rivals Real Madrid with their seventh straight home win in La Liga.