AFCON 2025
Lamine Yamal, notorious for showing up in big occasions for Barcelona, lived up to expectations once again on Thursday night.
Barcelona clinched their 28th La Liga title and the Blaugrana did it on the turf of their city rivals – Espanyol and Yamal played a significant role.
Espanyol weren’t going to hand Barcelona the title without making Hansi Flick’s men break a sweat for it.
Indeed they did as they held Barcelona, despite a ferocious attacking line up of Lewandowski, Yamal, Olmo and Raphinha, held Barcelona to a stalemate in the first half.
Barcelona only registered a shot on target on the first half as the home side defended deep in their half.
Javi Puado came close to giving Espanyol the lead with a mid-range shot but Wojciech Szczesny parried the ball away for a corner-kick.
However, Lamine Yamal breached Espanyol’s defense a few minutes into the second half. The 17-year-old received a pass from Dani Olmo and bent a swift left-footed strike into top corner to put Barcelona ahead.
Uruguayan defender Leandro Cabrera got sent off with 10 minutes to go for rash challenge on a Barcelona player.
Substitute Fermin Lopez sealed the win and the title as he doubled the lead with a sweet finish in added time.
Barcelona claimed their 28th La Liga title with two games left. The win seals Barcelona’s domestic treble this seaosn but leaves Espanyol back in the relegation dog fight.
