Spanish championship: Luis Suárez holds off Real Madrid to claim Liga title for Barcelona

Luis Suárez struck a hat-trick at Granada as Barcelona held off Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid to clinch their eighth Spanish championship in 12 seasons and 24th in all.

Suárez struck a hat-trick as Barcelona wrapped up their eighth Liga title in 12 seasons in style, pipping Real Madrid by a point.

The Merengues were briefly on course for glory after Cristiano Ronaldo gave them an early lead at Deportivo La Coruña. Yet from the moment Luis Suárez put Barcelona ahead away to Granada on 22 minutes the result was never in doubt. The Uruguayan made it 2-0 before half-time then completed his hat-trick just before the end: his 40th Liga goal of the campaign.

World cup ‘bite’ incident: Suárez could be banned for up to 24 matches under Fifa code

            Italy's Giorgio Chiellini shows his shoulder,
claiming he was bitten by Uruguay's
Luis Suarez in their World Cup match

Luis Suárez wrote his name into World Cup infamy by biting the Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini towards the end of a dramatic Uruguay win to risk another lengthy suspension of anything up to 24 matches.

Uruguay looked to be heading for the exit in the 79th minute with the game locked at 0-0 – the South Americans needed victory – when Suárez tussled with Chiellini as they chased a ball inside the Italy penalty area. The Liverpool striker leaned his forehead into Chiellini, in what looked, initially, to be a butt before biting down on his opponent’s shoulder. 

Suárez flung himself to the ground and, moments later, he could be seen holding his teeth.