Barcelona has clinched their first La Liga title since the 2018-19 season with four games remaining after a stylish victory against their city rivals Espanyol.
The team took an early lead in the first half, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his 20th league goal of the season before Alejandro Balde, 19, doubled the lead. Lewandowski added the third goal before Jules Kounde’s header made it 4-0. Although Espanyol did manage to reduce the deficit with goals from Javier Puado and Joselu, they are still in trouble near the bottom of the table.
Barcelona currently has 85 points, which is 14 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Real Madrid, with 12 points left to play for. The win marked Barcelona’s first La Liga title since club legend Lionel Messi left in August 2021 and their first since Xavi was appointed manager in November 2021.
In contrast, Espanyol is in danger of a second relegation in four seasons from La Liga after a ninth league defeat in 11 games. They are four points from safety with four matches left to play.
Barcelona’s players will have to wait to get their hands on the trophy, but they celebrated after the final whistle before quickly retreating to the dressing room after some Espanyol fans dashed onto the pitch. Barca was three points behind Real Madrid after losing 3-1 away to them on 16 October. They also had a disappointing exit from the Champions League after losing three of their six group games.
Despite these setbacks, Xavi, who won eight La Liga titles during a distinguished 17-year career playing in Barca’s first team, has delivered in his first full season in charge. It was an emotional night for captain Sergio Busquets, who confirmed he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season after 18 years with the club. This is the 34-year-old’s ninth league title with Barca, but the future looks promising for the side, with Balde and Kounde scoring their first La Liga goals in Barcelona colors.
Barcelona will move out of their Nou Camp home next season while the stadium undergoes redevelopment. However, fans will get a chance to celebrate the club’s first major trophy since the 2020-21 season during their last two home games against Real Sociedad on Saturday and Mallorca on 28 May.
