Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is congratulated after opening the scoring against Atletico Madrid. Reuters

Alexis Sanchez scored one of the goals of his life in one of the biggest matches of his career to break the deadlock in the tense La Liga title decider between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

With 33 minutes on the clock at the Camp Nou, Cesc Fabregas chipped the ball into the box, Lionel Messi chested it down, before Sanchez took over and unleashed a quite ridiculous shot from an absurd angle to send the ball soaring into the net. Even though he was beaten at his near post, there was nothing Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could do to keep it at bay.

Against a tight Atletico defense, it was always likely to take something special to break through and the Chilean certainly provided it. If Barcelona hang on to claim the victory then they will retain their La Liga title and claim their fifth championship in six years. Any other result and Atletico will win their first title in 18 years.

Atletico were dealt a double blow in the opening 23 minutes when they lost influential duo Diego Costa and Arda Turan to injury.

Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus this season, but this strike makes it 19 in La Liga for the former Udinese star.