In a remarkable achievement, Barcelona secured their first La Liga title since the 2018-19 season with an impressive victory over city rivals Espanyol, and they did so with four games remaining in the season.
The match saw Barcelona take control early on, with Robert Lewandowski netting his 20th league goal of the season before Alejandro Balde, just 19 years old, doubled the lead. Lewandowski added a third goal, and Jules Kounde’s header made it 4-0. Espanyol managed to narrow the gap with goals from Javier Puado and Joselu but remained in a precarious position near the bottom of the league table.
With 85 points, Barcelona now hold a comfortable 14-point lead over their closest competitors, Real Madrid, and have 12 points left to play for. This triumph is particularly significant as it is Barcelona’s first La Liga title since the departure of club legend Lionel Messi in August 2021 and their first under the management of Xavi, who took charge in November 2021.
Meanwhile, Espanyol finds themselves facing the looming threat of a second relegation from La Liga in four seasons, sitting four points away from safety with only four matches remaining.
Although Barcelona’s players will have to wait to officially lift the trophy, they celebrated their victory after the final whistle, albeit briefly due to some Espanyol fans encroaching on the pitch. This achievement is a testament to the turnaround led by Xavi, who enjoyed a glittering playing career at Barcelona, winning eight La Liga titles.
The evening held particular significance for captain Sergio Busquets, who confirmed his departure from Barcelona after 18 years at the club. This victory marked his ninth La Liga title with the team.
Barcelona’s future looks bright, as young talents like Balde and Kounde showcased their potential by scoring their first La Liga goals for the club. Although Barcelona will temporarily relocate from the iconic Nou Camp for the next season due to redevelopment, fans will have the opportunity to celebrate the team’s success during the remaining home matches against Real Sociedad and Mallorca.
