Barcelona have been crowned La Liga champions for the 2024–25 season after a commanding 2-0 victory against city rivals Espanyol on Thursday night. The win, powered by a spectacular goal from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and a late strike by Fermin Lopez, ensures that Real Madrid can no longer catch them at the top of the table. With two games to spare, Barca seal their 28th league title in style, completing a domestic treble under new manager Hansi Flick.
Playing at Espanyol's Cornella stadium, Barcelona replicated their 2023 title triumph at the same venue, but this time under different circumstances. While that match ended in chaos with Espanyol fans storming the pitch, this year the home side simply turned on the sprinklers post-match to dampen Barcelona's celebrations though the visitors were already heading down the tunnel in celebration.
The 17-year-old Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a brilliant curling effort from outside the box. It was a goal reminiscent of his stunner for Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-final against France and marked his eighth league goal of the season. His knack for scoring in high-pressure games has made him a standout figure in one of the youngest squads in La Liga.
Fermin Lopez added a second goal deep into stoppage time, finishing off Espanyol's resistance and sparking jubilant scenes among the visiting players. The title win comes after Barcelona’s 4-3 El Clasico thriller against Real Madrid earlier this week, which many saw as the unofficial championship decider. Barca coach Hansi Flick praised his squad's hunger and maturity. “It’s in our DNA to want to learn and grow. That’s what I expect from these players. They always want more, and that’s crucial,” said Flick. The former Bayern Munich boss has transformed Barcelona’s style and mentality, leading the team to Copa del Rey, Supercopa, and now La Liga titles in his first season.
The match wasn't without its tense moments. Espanyol, fighting for top-flight survival, had chances early in the game, including a strong effort by Javi Puado that forced a sharp save from Barca keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera was sent off for a foul on Yamal, reducing the home side to ten men and giving Barcelona more control late in the match. Off the field, an incident before kickoff saw a car drive into a group of Espanyol supporters, injuring several. Police said it appeared to be an accident, with no serious injuries reported.
Espanyol fans threw bottles as Barcelona celebrated their second goal, but the champions paid little attention. Their focus is now on the future, with Flick already speaking of higher standards for next season. “Of course, we celebrated in the dressing room. It was fantastic. Tomorrow, I’ll stand in the background and enjoy seeing the players and staff happy,” Flick told reporters. With only the Champions League eluding them this season, Barcelona’s new era looks bright, led by a teenage star in Yamal, a tactically astute manager in Flick, and a young core hungry for more.
