- Barcelona claimed their first La Liga title since 2019 following a stylish 4-2 win at the home of city rivals Espanyol
- Barcelona players celebrated after the full-time whistle but only for a short while before dashing to the dressing room after Espanyol fans stormed the pitch
FC Barcelona claimed their first La Liga title since 2019 following a stylish 4-2 win at the home of city rivals Espanyol.
Barcelona were 3-0 up by half-time, thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski (11, 40) and Alejandro Balde (20). Jules Kounde’s header in the 53rd minute made it 4-0 but Espanyol managed to pull two goals back courtesy of Javier Puado (73) and Joselu (90+2).
Xavi Hernandez has delivered in his first full season and it’s just a matter of days before the players get their hands on the trophy. Barcelona players celebrated after the full-time whistle but only for a short while before dashing to the dressing room after Espanyol fans stormed the pitch.
FC Barcelona have now won the La Liga title 27 times. Photo/ Barca Blaugranes.
Nevertheless, the Barca players and fans will get the opportunity to celebrate the trophy during their last two home games of the season. Barcelona have now won the Spanish top flight 27 times. The only team which has won more his Real Madrid – 35.
Speaking after the victory against Espanyol, Barca manager Xavi Hernandez described winning the title as magnificent.
“It’s a magnificent feeling, a feeling of job well done. This is important to give the club’s project some stability. The league title shows that things have been done the right way and that we have to stay on this path.” Sky Sports quotes Xavi Hernandez.
Barca have won the La Liga title with 85 points and are 14 above their rivals Real Madrid. Espanyol, on the other hand, are in danger of being relegated from La Liga for the second time in four seasons. Luis Garcia’s side have suffered nine defeats in the last eleven games and are four points from safety with four matches left. They will continue their fight for survival on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano.
How Barcelona Beat Espanyol
The Derbi Barceloni was a real battle in the early stages. However, Barcelona showed their superior quality and took the lead in the eleventh minute.
Alejandro Balde beat Oscar Gil before passing the ball to goal machine Robert Lewandowski who did what he knows best in front of goal. Lewandowski became the first player to reach 20 La Liga goals this season courtesy of the opener against Espanyol.
Balde then went from providing assist to finding the back of the net when he beat Oscar Gil again to reach Pedri’s cross. Robert Lewandowski then added Barca’s third to silence the Espanyol crowd at RCDE Stadium.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice against Espanyol. Photo/ Eurosport.
Jules Kounde came close to scoring but his shot went wide. The France international eventually found the back of the net after being picked out by De Jong in the 53rd minute.
Barcelona started knocking the ball around comfortably but were caught twice before the final whistle. Javier Puado pulled one back for Espanyol in the 73rd minute before Joselu scored again in stoppage time.
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