Barcelona Clinch 28th La Liga Title with Derby Win Over Espanyol
Barcelona have officially been crowned La Liga champions for the 28th time in the club’s history, sealing the title with two matches to spare after a 2–0 win over city rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby.
The victory ensured that Hansi Flick’s side cannot be caught by Real Madrid, with the gap now unbridgeable. The Catalans had already pulled away from the rest of the chasing pack weeks earlier, but the symbolic nature of winning the league in a heated derby made it all the more memorable.
Yamal and López Seal the Deal
Despite dominating possession, Barcelona struggled to break through for over 50 minutes. It was one of their standout stars this season, Lamine Yamal, who finally found the breakthrough in the 53rd minute, scoring what may be one of the most iconic goals of his young career.
Fermín López added a second to seal the result, taking advantage of an Espanyol side that went down to 10 men following Leandro Cabrera’s red card in the 80th minute — a fiery reminder of the fierce rivalry between the two Catalan clubs.
A Domestic Treble to Soothe European Pain
Barcelona’s league triumph adds to a successful domestic campaign in which they also lifted both the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. The domestic treble provides a sweet ending to a season that saw disappointment in the Champions League semi-finals.
2024-25, Spain - La Liga
Espanyol - Barcelona 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Yamal, 53 (0:1); Fermin, 90 (0:2)
Espanyol: García Jo.; Kumbulla; Cabrera L. (till 80); Gonzalez U.; Serrano Carlos; El Hilali; Edu Expósito; Lozano P. (Milla P., 60); Roca (Jofre Carreras, 68); Jaen R. (Calero F., 82); Javi Puado (Cheddira, 82)
Bench: Pacheco; Fortuno; Sergi Gomez; Tejero; Aguado; Véliz
Yellow Cards: Cheddira 84; Kumbulla 90
Red cards: Cabrera L. 80'
Barcelona: Szczesny; Araujo R. (Cubarsí, 51); Christensen A. (Fort H., 77); Garcia E.; Martín (Balde Al., 46); de Jong F.; Olmo (Gavi, 77); Raphinha; Yamal; Pedri; Lewandowski (Fermin, 65)
Bench: ter Stegen; Peña I.; Torre P.; Casado M.; Pau Victor; Fati An.
Yellow Cards: Christensen A. 42; Szczesny 90
