Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Thursday, thanks to a brilliant strike from Lamine Yamal and a stoppage-time finish from Fermin Lopez. The win puts Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Real Madrid with just two matches remaining, making it mathematically impossible for their rivals to catch up.
This triumph also marks a domestic treble for Barcelona, who have swept the league, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Their only shortfall this season came in the Champions League, but they still managed to claim La Liga for the second time in six years—ironically, once again at Espanyol’s ground, just as they did in 2023.
Unlike the previous title-clinching visit when angry fans stormed the pitch, this time Espanyol staff turned on the sprinklers in an attempt to disrupt Barca’s celebrations. The players quickly made their way down the tunnel, soaked but victorious.
After a goalless first half, Yamal broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a stunning curling shot from outside the area, reminiscent of his goal against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The 17-year-old’s goal was his eighth in La Liga this season and another standout moment in a campaign where he has consistently delivered on the biggest stages—including goals against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Lopez sealed the win deep into added time, finding the net in the 95th minute after a period of pressure from the hosts. Espanyol, reduced to ten men after Leandro Cabrera was sent off for elbowing Yamal, fought valiantly to stay in the match but ultimately couldn’t withstand the league leaders.
The win came a day later than expected, as Real Madrid’s last-gasp victory over Mallorca on Wednesday had delayed Barcelona’s coronation. Still, there was little doubt about the outcome given Barca’s dominant form, including a thrilling 4-3 El Clasico win just days earlier.
Espanyol, currently 16th and battling relegation, made a strong start and nearly took the lead through Javi Puado, whose one-on-one chance was denied by Wojciech Szczesny. Barcelona controlled possession but struggled to create clear openings until Yamal’s moment of brilliance shifted the momentum.
Following the final whistle, tensions flared in the stands, with Espanyol fans throwing bottles at the Barcelona players during their celebrations. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Barcelona’s youthful squad—one of the youngest in Europe—clinched a title many had thought out of reach, especially after Kylian Mbappe’s high-profile arrival at defending champions Real Madrid.
Midfielder Pedri reflected on the achievement, emphasizing the importance of enjoying and appreciating such moments. He praised Espanyol’s compact, counter-attacking setup, but expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought win that sealed the championship.
Before kickoff, the evening had taken a concerning turn when several Espanyol supporters were struck by a car outside the stadium. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, and police indicated the incident appeared accidental.
With two games remaining, Barcelona can now savor a well-earned league title, powered by a bold new generation of stars.