FC Barcelona’s Inaki Pena, Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin and Gavi have a good time after profitable LaLiga, RCDE Stadium, Cornella de Llobregat, Spain, Might 15, 2025. — Reuters
BARCELONA: Barcelona secured their twenty eighth LaLiga title on Thursday after they beat metropolis rivals Espanyol 2-0, securing an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Actual Madrid with two video games left to play.
Nonetheless, their slim title hopes have been dashed when Lamine Yamal curled an outstanding shot into the again of the online within the 53rd minute, with Fermin Lopez securing the victory by hanging a ball from contained in the field, assisted by Yamal, 5 minutes deep in stoppage time.
The consequence moved Hansi Flick’s Barca to 85 factors, seven forward of final season’s champions Actual, with Atletico Madrid third on 70 factors. It caps a exceptional first season at Barca for coach Hansi Flick as his aspect have gained the LaLiga and Copa del Rey double.
The Catalan aspect stated they are going to be introduced with the league trophy on Friday throughout a particular celebration within the metropolis.
Barca have been seconds away from celebrating the title with out stepping on the pitch on Wednesday till Actual scored a late winner towards Mallorca to maintain their slim hopes alive.
However Barca took care of enterprise themselves with a hard-fought win at Espanyol, with the match being delayed for a couple of minutes after a number of followers have been injured after being hit by a automotive outdoors the stadium.
The hosts have been arguably the higher aspect in a primary half that was goalless due to Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny who made a superb reflex save to disclaim a Javi Puado effort from shut vary in one in every of a number of harmful Espanyol counter-attacks.
Simply when it appeared Barca have been out of concepts on easy methods to break down their opponents, it was teenage sensation Lamine Yamal who labored his magic, scoring a shocking purpose with what’s turning into his trademark transfer.
The 17-year-old took the ball on the fitting touchline and made an outstanding lateral run parallel to the sting of the field earlier than unleashing a curling strike between two defenders and into the highest nook.
“Lamine’s goal is a move he practices a lot, he had scored twice today in the warm-up the same way. We have to look after him and let him enjoy it, he is fantastic,” his teammate Pedri instructed Movistar Plus.
“You don’t win a league every day so now we need to enjoy it and celebrate this trophy. It was one of the most complicated titles. We are happy with the year we have had. We’ve enjoyed it and so have the fans.”
Yamal’s purpose labored as a confidence increase as Barca took management and, after Leandro Cabrera was despatched off with a straight pink for elbowing Yamal within the physique within the eightieth minute, substitute Lopez wrapped up the win to start the title celebrations.
