Barcelona sealed the La Liga title in emphatic style with a 2-0 derby win over Espanyol, thanks to another moment of brilliance from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The 17-year-old curled a stunning shot into the top corner in the 53rd minute, taking his tally to 17 goals this season and officially securing the title with two matches to spare.
The win puts Barcelona seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.
Fermín López added a second goal deep into stoppage time, converting from a Yamal assist to wrap up the victory.
However, the match was briefly halted in the first half after a car struck fans outside the stadium, injuring 13 people. Four were taken to hospital, though none were seriously hurt.
Espanyol’s hopes faded further when defender Leandro Cabrera was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for striking Yamal during a challenge.
The win capped off a domestic treble for manager Hansi Flick in his debut season at the helm. Having already lifted the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup—both with victories over Real Madrid—Barcelona completed a clean sweep of domestic trophies, also winning all four Clásicos this season.
Barça’s title triumph follows a strong campaign in which they scored 169 goals across all competitions and reached the Champions League semi-finals before a narrow exit to Inter Milan.
Yamal once again proved decisive. After narrowly missing out on clinching the title the day before—thanks to Real Madrid’s late winner against Mallorca—Barcelona made no mistake at the RCDE Stadium.
The Catalan side were made to sweat, with Espanyol’s Urko González and Javi Puado both missing big chances, but Yamal’s trademark finish from Dani Olmo’s pass broke the deadlock.
His assist for López’s deflected finish just before full-time added yet another highlight to an already remarkable campaign.
Notably, this is the third time in the 21st century that Barcelona have secured the title at Espanyol’s ground—more than at their own Nou Camp.
They also clinched the league there in 2023 and benefited from a Real Madrid draw at the stadium in 2013 to secure the title.
Yamal: A Star Beyond His Years
Lamine Yamal now boasts 24 goals in 104 appearances for Barcelona, alongside four goals in 19 caps for Spain.
He has already won Euro 2024, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey—yet doesn’t turn 18 until later this summer.
Among his standout goals are three in El Clásico, one in a Euro 2024 semi-final, and another in a Champions League semi-final.
His goal against Espanyol might be the sweetest yet, as it directly delivered Barcelona’s 28th league crown.
At Yamal’s age, even club legend Lionel Messi hadn’t yet scored a senior goal. The young forward has also notched 28 career assists, including a league-leading 13 this season.
Barcelona have found their next generational star—and with him, a return to the summit of Spanish football.
