Barcelona secure La Liga crown with Lamine Yamal starring in derby triumph
Barcelona have sealed the 2024/2025 La Liga title with two games to spare, thanks to a spectacular strike from 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal in a commanding 2-0 derby win over Espanyol.
The teenage forward curled in a magnificent effort from the edge of the box early in the second half to break the deadlock, confirming Barcelona as champions with an unassailable seven-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Yamal later turned provider, assisting Fermin Lopez’s injury-time goal to complete the win.
The match at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium was briefly halted in the first half after a car drove into a group of fans outside the ground. Thirteen people were injured, with four taken to hospital. Fortunately, none of the injuries were reported as serious and play resumed shortly afterwards.
Barcelona’s title triumph caps a dominant domestic campaign under new manager Hansi Flick. Having already lifted the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup both after beating Real Madrid this latest success completes a clean sweep of Spanish silverware in Flick’s debut season at the helm.
Remarkably, Barça won all four El Clasico clashes this season.
Their impressive form extended to Europe as well, with the Catalans reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League before a dramatic elimination by Inter Milan. Across all competitions, Barcelona have scored a staggering 169 goals.
Barça had come within seconds of being crowned champions the previous day, only for Real Madrid to score a late winner against Mallorca. That result delayed the title party, but Yamal ensured there would be no further postponement.
His clinical finish from Dani Olmo’s assist in the 53rd minute brought relief and jubilation to the away fans.
Espanyol, who had chances through Urko Gonzalez and Javi Puado, finished the match with ten men after Leandro Cabrera was sent off for striking Yamal with his arm late in the game.
In a curious twist of history, Barcelona have now secured more league titles at Espanyol’s ground than at their own Nou Camp in the 21st century.
They also clinched the title at the same stadium in 2023, while a Real Madrid draw there in 2013 ended that season’s title race. Barça have only lifted two league trophies at the Nou Camp since the 1990s.
Yamal’s breakthrough season has been extraordinary. The young forward has now scored 24 goals in 104 matches for Barcelona, along with four goals in 19 caps for Spain.
His growing list of career highlights includes goals in El Clasico, a Euro 2024 semi-final, and a Champions League semi-final all before turning 18.
Notably, Lionel Messi had yet to score a senior goal at Yamal’s age. In addition to his goal tally, Yamal has registered 28 assists, including 13 in La Liga this season — the highest in the division.
For Barcelona, this is their 28th La Liga title and one of the sweetest in recent memory, delivered by one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
