Barcelona secured the 2014-15 La Liga title with a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.

The only goal of the match came in the 65th minute, when Pedro set up Lionel Messi inside the Atletico box.

Atletico, who won last season's title away to Barcelona, are now three points clear of fourth-placed Valencia with one game left.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action in Madrid.

Match statistics

ATLETICO
Shots: 10
On target: 3
Possession: 23%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 23

BARCELONA
Shots: 15
On target: 5
Possession: 77%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 7

Was the result fair?

In truth, even the most ardent of Atletico supporters would find it difficult to deny that Barcelona deserved all three points at the Vicente Calderon. As expected, the early moments were tight, but when Barca found their rhythm, they always looked the team more capable of making something happen in the final third. Atletico did have a spell at the start of the second period when they threatened to upset the Barcelona party, but the visitors remained a threat and eventually struck the killer blow. When looking at the statistics - which rarely paint a false picture over 90 minutes - Barcelona deserved to triumph in the Spanish capital.

It was not much of a surprise that Barcelona dominated the possession, but the fact that they enjoyed 77% of the ball is quite staggering, especially against a team of Atletico's ilk. Barca only shaded the attempts on target five to three, but the Catalan outfit had much better moments in the final third and there was never really an extended period of the match where Luis Enrique's side threatened to lose control. Atletico were solid at the back for long spells, but never really offered enough in attack to deserve something from the game. A narrow away victory was very much a fair reflection of the events here.

Atletico's performance

There were a couple of surprises in the Atletico XI at the Calderon, with Jose Gimenez and Fernando Torres preferred to Miranda and Mario Mandzukic, who has struggled in the second half of the season. It was the home side that had the first real chance of the match in the eighth minute, but Gimenez's header was clawed to safety by Claudio Bravo. Barcelona grew as the half developed, however, with Messi twice coming close in the opening 20 minutes, before the Argentine rattled the crossbar with a clever free kick in the 32nd minute. The remaining minutes of the first period were tight, but as mentioned, Atletico's threat in the final third was not really too apparent, which made it fairly comfortable for the Barcelona back four.

Atletico's best spell of the game arrived early in the second period and they might have taken the lead just before the hour when Torres found space inside the box, but the Spaniard was denied by Bravo. Moments later, Real Madrid took the lead at Espanyol, which placed a little more pressure on Barcelona. Messi struck 25 minutes from time, however, and from that point, it was always difficult to see Atletico responding, such were their struggles in the final third. Guilherme Siqueira came close to a leveller two minutes from time, but it was again an effort from distance. It is difficult to be too critical of Atletico, who were up against a special team, but the same intensity from last season just was not there. They obviously wanted to win the match, but Barcelona's desire was greater and that radiated through, especially in the second half. It was always going to be difficult for Diego Simeone's side to repeat their heroics of last season - which should not be forgotten - and they have ultimately fallen short this time around.

Barcelona's performance

Barcelona boss Enrique was unable to call upon the services of Luis Suarez, who picked up an injury against Bayern Munich last time out. Pedro, however, was not a bad replacement in the front three. It did take a bit of time for the league leaders to settle after what was a strong opening from Atletico, but their passing improved as the game developed and in truth, they were the better side. Messi was Barca's biggest threat in the first period and the Argentine might have opened the scoring earlier, but he was denied by Jan Oblak on a couple of occasions, before rattling the crossbar with a super free kick. As mentioned, Atletico started the second period on the front foot and for a stage of the game, it did appear that Barcelona were settling for a point. As it happened, Real Madrid's goal at Espanyol actually inspired a response from Barcelona, who took the lead through a certain Argentine.

The goal itself was sensational, with Messi dancing to the edge of the box before combining with Pedro and rattling his effort into the bottom corner. It needed to be a special finish to beat Oblak in the Atletico goal and that proved the case. Barcelona teams of old would have struggled defensively late on, but that is an area that has seriously improved this season and the visitors restricted Simeone's side to very few opportunities. Neymar twice came close to adding a second 20 minutes from time, but the Brazilian could not find the back of the net and make sure of the title in the process. Espanyol did equalise against Real Madrid, but Los Blancos ultimately won 4-1 and therefore only three points would have secured Barca the title with a game to spare. To be blunt, the title would have been won next week against Deportivo La Coruna if not, but to secure the crown at the reigning champions is extremely impressive. Messi was once again the star of the show in another wonderful Barca performance and the treble is now a real possibility.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Lionel Messi: In short, Messi was the best player on the field by a million miles. The Argentine should have scored in the first period, but he was not to be denied in the 65th minute, when he curled one into the bottom corner. It was a wonderful finish from the attacker, who has spearheaded what has been an incredible 2015 for Barcelona. It looks like he will miss out to Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to be La Liga's top scorer, but Messi has helped his team win the title. Now his focus will switch to the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals, which are both fast approaching for the club.

Biggest gaffe

Neymar is another who has had a wonderful 2015 for Barcelona, but he really should have continued his excellent scoring run in the second period. A quick counter from the visitors ended with Messi setting up Neymar inside the box, but the Brazilian could only fire high and wide of the crossbar. In the end, it did not matter in terms of the result, but it should have finished in the back of the net.

Referee performance

As expected, referee Alberto Undiano had a busy game in Madrid - issuing eight yellow cards in total. Barcelona thought that they should have had a penalty in the first period when Diego Godin felled Dani Alves, but the decision was given just outside the box. There were a couple more penalty appeals in the second half, but Undiano remained unmoved. All in all, the Spaniard can be pleased with his work in the Spanish capital as he let an entertaining game flow.

What next?

Atletico: Atletico only need a point away to Granada next weekend to make sure of third position in La Liga. However, the home side are still fighting for their lives just outside the relegation zone.

Barcelona: Champions Barcelona welcome Deportivo La Coruna next Saturday evening. Depor will enter the match in 17th position - just two points outside of the relegation zone.