Barcelona defeated rival Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, May 14, to win their 27th La Liga championship. Since Lionel Messi’s dramatic departure from Camp Nou, this was their first league championship.
At Cornella de Llobregat’s RCDE Stadium, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski shone with two goals as Barcelona won the championship.
Barcelona wins La Liga
Lewandowski’s goal in the 11th minute gave the Catalan giants a 1-0 lead after he finished off Alejandro Balde’s left-wing cross. Balde then added another goal to make it 2-0 in the 20th minute, with star midfielder Pedri providing the assist.
With five minutes left before halftime, Lewandowski scored his 21st league goal of the season to end the match. Raphina, a Brazilian winger, set up a chance on the right and sent the ball into the area, where Lewandowski slammed it in with a powerful left-footed shot.
- Barcelona defeated rival Espanyol 4-2 on Sunday, to win their 27th La Liga championship.
- Lewandowski’s goal in the 11th minute gave the Catalan giants a 1-0 lead after he finished off Alejandro Balde’s left-wing cross.
- Despite Espanyol scoring twice in the second half, Barcelona continued to control the match.
Three more goals were scored in the second half as well, with Jules Kounde’s thunderous header in the 53rd minute making it 4-0 for the visiting team. Frenkie de Jong delivered a low cross to the Frenchman that was close to the post, and the former finished it off to score his first goal of the year.
Despite Espanyol scoring twice in the second half, Barcelona continued to control the match. Spanish striker Joselu scored a consolation goal for Espanyol late in extra time after Javi Puado had pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 73rd minute.
Barcelona won the league with three points, giving them their first major championship under head coach Xavi. He described it as a wonderful experience and credited it to their ten-month effort and sacrifice.
Fantastic feeling. a well-done work. It began in July. 10 months of labor and giving. It is due to the club and its supporters. We feel stable and secure knowing that things are being handled correctly. With a wonderful game, we have won La Liga. We did a great job. At the conclusion, the team relaxed and displayed pride. It’s unusual for us to win La Liga in a derby,’ stated Xavi following the match.
With 27 wins in 34 games, Barcelona leads the table with 85 points and a 14-point advantage over Real Madrid, last season’s champions.
