Barcelona claimed its 28th Spanish league title on Thursday night, defeating crosstown rival Espanyol 2-0 in a tense Catalan derby. The victory, led by a stunning goal from teenage star Lamine Yamal, capped a dominant domestic season for the Catalan giants.
The 17-year-old sensation broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a trademark left-footed curler after gliding past two defenders at the edge of the penalty area. It was Yamal’s eighth league goal of the season, further solidifying his rise as one of football’s brightest young talents. He also leads the team with 12 assists.
“Lamine’s goal is something he practises a lot,” said teammate Pedri. “He scored two like that in the warmup. We have to protect him and let him enjoy this — he’s fantastic.”
Midfielder Fermin Lopez added a second in stoppage time to seal the win.
The first half saw few chances, with just one shot from each side. Espanyol came closest to scoring early on, briefly giving Real Madrid hope of extending their title challenge. But Barcelona’s control grew in the second half, and Espanyol’s hopes faded completely after defender Leandro Cabrera was sent off for striking Yamal in the chest.
With this win, Barcelona secured the title with two rounds still to play. The club also lifted the Copa del Rey, completing a domestic double. They reached the Champions League semifinals in what has been a dream debut season for coach Hansi Flick.
Flick’s side effectively ended Madrid’s title hopes with a thrilling 4-3 Clasico win on Sunday — their fourth straight victory over their biggest rivals this season. While Madrid briefly delayed the celebrations with a win over Mallorca on Wednesday, Barcelona only needed two points from their final three matches. They got all three in emphatic fashion.
Related topics:
- Goals and Battles: Real Madrid Edge Past Mallorca in Action-Packed LaLiga Match
- Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool Lead Major Summer Transfer Battles
- A-State Football Kickoff Party Returns to Embassy Suites on August 2, 2025
