Bubbly time as Barca bag La Liga title

BARCELONA retained their Primera Division crown last night as they thrashed Real Valladolid 4-0 at home amid a carnival atmosphere at the Nou Camp after arch rivals Real Madrid had seen their title hopes founder in a 1-1 draw in Malaga.

After an uncharacteristically rocky start from Barca, nerves were settled when Luis Prieto inexplicably turned the ball into his own net under no pressure in the 27th minute.

Pedro then doubled the Barca lead four minutes later, and a brace from Lionel Messi in the second capped the win and saw the brilliant Argentine match Ronaldo's record of scoring 47 goals in all competitions, 34 of them coming in the league.

Real Madrid, who began the day only one point behind Barcelona, fell behind against Malaga as Sergio Duda scored in the ninth minute.

Rafael van der Vaart equalised early in the second half, but Real could not find a winner as they fell three points behind their arch-rivals. The draw helped Malaga finish a point above the relegation zone.