La Liga 2024-25: Barcelona have officially clinched their 28th La Liga title after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Thursday night. The breakthrough came from none other than teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose stunning strike put Hansi Flick’s side firmly in control before Fermín López sealed the deal deep into stoppage time.
The win ensures that Real Madrid, now trailing by seven points with only two games remaining, are mathematically out of the race. This victory not only marks a return to domestic dominance for the Catalan giants, but also caps off a superb treble of domestic titles this season—missing only European glory.
History Repeats at Espanyol, but with a Twist
In an eerie nod to 2023, Barça once again lifted the La Liga trophy on Espanyol’s turf. But unlike the chaotic scenes of that year—when players were chased off the pitch by furious home fans—this time the celebration was dampened, literally, by Espanyol’s ground staff turning on the sprinklers. It was a passive-aggressive response to Barcelona’s jubilation, and yet, nothing could put a damper on the Blaugrana’s moment.
Before the match, tension was already high. A car drove into a crowd of Espanyol fans outside the stadium, injuring several, although thankfully no serious injuries were reported. Police have treated it as an accident.
Yamal: A Star for the Big Stage
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has become synonymous with big moments. In a high-stakes match played under pressure and against a hostile crowd, the young winger delivered once again. In the 53rd minute, he collected the ball on the right wing, cut inside, and unleashed a ferocious curler into the top corner—eerily similar to his memorable goal for Spain against France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
That strike was his eighth La Liga goal this season, and it came at the perfect time. Yamal has now scored against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in crucial matches, reinforcing his reputation as a player who rises to the occasion.
Espanyol Fight Hard but Fall Short
Despite sitting 16th in the table and fighting for survival, Espanyol were no pushovers. They started the match with intensity and created the better chances in the first half. Their best opportunity came when Javi Puado broke through on goal, but a sharp save from Wojciech Szczesny denied him.
Barcelona, meanwhile, struggled to break down Espanyol’s defense early on. They controlled possession, as they have throughout the season, but failed to create any clear-cut chances in the first half. That changed after the break—thanks to Yamal.
Fermín López Adds the Finishing Touch
With Espanyol pushing forward late in the game in search of an equalizer, Barcelona capitalized on the counter. In the 95th minute, Fermín López latched onto a breakaway and calmly slotted home the second goal, ensuring the celebrations could truly begin.
