Top Five Moments: The highlights of a thrilling year in La Liga
There were records broken and legends crowned during 2014 in La Liga
Monday 29 December 2014 14:59, UK
We look back at the five finest 2014 moments in La Liga
Messi breaking Telmo Zarra’s 59-year goal-scoring record
There was never any doubt that Lionel Messi would be La Liga’s top scorer by surpassing Zarra’s 251 goals, it was merely a matter of when. That momentous occasion came when Sevilla visited the Camp Nou on November 22, and the Argentine scored a hat-trick that left his team-mates hoisting him above their heads. Barcelona eventually won 5-1 and the packed stadium was treated to a video of the diminutive forward’s best moments.
Atletico Madrid winning the league
Everyone in football loves the underdog, and that’s exactly what everyone bar Barcelona and Real Madrid are in La Liga. For Diego Simeone to take Atletico to their first title in 18 years was a treat for the purists and the fact that they clinched it on the final day at Barcelona, thanks to a Diego Godin equaliser, made it all the sweeter.
Bale's famous Copa del Rey final moment
Gareth Bale's stunning winner in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona silenced any critics who questioned whether he would thrive in the high-pressure environment at Real Madrid. With just five minutes left on the clock, the Welshman burst down the left flank - via the technical area - before cooly slotting in to sink Real's arch rivals. Sublime.
Gorka Iraizoz’s disallowed goal
With Athletic Bilbao trailing to Malaga 1-0, Bilbao goalkeeper Iraizoz went forward for a late set-piece, and remarkably he scored past his opposite number with a bullet header. The Bilbao players celebrated wildly, until the referee blew his whistle for a foul and disallowed the goal. If anyone knows why, feel free to send us your answers on a postcard.
Neymar's goal v Celta Vigo
With every passing week, the Brazilian looks more and more like a superstar footballer, both on and off the pitch. In a league that features the top five most expensive players in the world, you have to up your game otherwise you will easily be forgotten, and Brazil's hero has no intention of that happening to him. His goal against Celta Vigo was a fine example of his talents.
