MADRID, April 27 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona secured the 2018-19 Liga Santander title with a 1-0 win at home to Levante on Saturday night.

Leo Messi scored the only goal of the game which leaves Barca nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid with a superior head to head goal average and with just three games left in the season.

The Argentinean began the game as substitute ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie at home to Liverpool, but got into the game at the start of the second half. It was his 62nd minute goal from a left foot shot which decided the game.

Barca have won 26 Spanish La Liga titles, compared to 33 for bitter rivals Real Madrid. But the Catalan side has won eight of the last 11 leagues to highlight their recent dominance.