Barcelona once again claimed local bragging rights in the Catalan derby, but this time the victory over Espanyol was anything but straightforward. The La Liga leaders were pushed hard and survived several nervy moments, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia emerging as an unlikely hero after producing an impressive six saves to keep his side in the contest.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 86th minute when Dani Olmo showed his composure and quality, delicately lifting the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area. It was a moment of class that changed the mood entirely.

With Espanyol forced to chase the game, Barcelona struck again. A swift counter-attack ended with Robert Lewandowski applying the finishing touch from close range, sealing a 2–0 win and underlining why the Catalan giants remain firmly in control of the La Liga title race.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Espanyol - Barcelona 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Olmo, 86 (0:1); Lewandowski, 90 (0:2)

Espanyol: Dmitrović; Gonzalez U.; Calero F.; Cabrera L.; El Hilali; Edu Expósito (Carreras, 60); Lozano P.; Dolan (Ramón, 82); Romero; Fernández Rob. (Kike García, 75); Milla P. (Javi Puado, 82)
Substitution: Carreras (from 60); Kike García (from 75); Ramón (from 82); Javi Puado (from 82)
Bench: Fortuno; Sanchez Ru.; Salinas; Rubio; Riedel C.; Koleosho; Roca
Yellow Cards: Lozano P. 77

Barcelona: García Jo.; Balde Al.; Cubarsí; Martín G. (Pedri, 64); Kounde; Garcia E.; de Jong F.; Yamal; Raphinha (Olmo, 64); Rashford (Fermin Fermin, 46); Torres F. (Lewandowski, 64)
Substitution: Fermin Fermin (from 46); Olmo (from 64); Pedri (from 64); Lewandowski (from 64)
Bench: ter Stegen; Szczesny; Jofre; Casado M.; Bernal; Fernández Dro; Bardagji