Barcelona Wins La Liga in Dramatic Derby Against Espanyol

Barcelona, Spain — FC Barcelona secured the La Liga title with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in a thrilling derby on May 15, 2025. The win crowned Barcelona with their 28th league title, achieved in the historic RCDE Stadium, the home of their fierce rivals.

The match began under tense circumstances as a mass traffic incident outside the stadium left 13 people injured, although none of the injuries were serious. Despite initial concerns, the game proceeded as scheduled.

Barcelona opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a stunning goal from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. After receiving the ball outside the box, Yamal unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the top corner of the net, giving Barcelona a 1-0 lead. Fans erupted in jubilation as Yamal proved why he is considered a generational talent.

However, the match took a contentious turn in the 77th minute when Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera was sent off following a VAR review. The referee, César Soto Grado, showed a red card after Cabrera struck Yamal in the stomach without playing the ball.

Despite being a man down, Espanyol continued to push for an equalizer. Their efforts included a close attempt late in the game, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, stood firm.

The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Fermín López scored, extending Barcelona’s lead to 2-0. Following the final whistle, celebrations erupted on the pitch as players and staff marked their championship win.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick emphasized that his team had to remain composed despite the intensity of the derby. “We knew the significance of this match, and we played our style,” he said after the game.

With this triumph, Barcelona not only claimed the title but also set the stage for celebrations in the city. A parade is planned for the following night to honor the champions.