This gate was masterful: exceptional skier Lamine Yamal gave FC Barcelona the championship title in La Liga and thus the Spanish triple at 2-0 (0-0) victory at Espanyol Barcelona. Fermin Lopez scored the second goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The local rival made it really difficult for the team of coach Hansi Flick from the first minute and made it clear not to want to become the first title congratulant. Already in the fourth minute Espanyol had the first big chance when Urko Gonzalez was sent behind the high Barca defense with a steep pass, but scored just next to the goal.
Lewandowski’s return without any effect
The hosts did not allow the four-time Clasico winner of the season to develop, the favorite obviously had big problems with the enemy’s style of play. Wojciech Szszesny then had to prevent the 0-1 against Javier Puado, the Polish keeper, who again guarded the goal instead of Marc-André Ter Stegen (16th). Otherwise, Barca dominated the game and had more shots on goal, but no big chances.
Flick had his golden offensive triangle back because Robert Lewandowski celebrated his comeback in the starting eleven and stormed between Yamal and Raphinha. The attacker (25 goals of the season) released two shots at 1.13 to 0.39 Expected Goals (goal probability based on the opportunities) was Espanyol in a game that was also under the impression of an incident with several injuries in front of the stadium, but the much more dangerous team.
Yamal shows his extra class
But Espanyol just doesn’t have Yamal – and that’s why Barca was the team that was allowed to cheer despite all the problems. The Spanish child prodigy moved into the middle in the 53rd minute from his right side, lay the ball on the left foot and circulated it at a lot of pace in the long corner to the 1-0 – an absolute dream goal that was also incredibly important because Barcelona had to win for the championship title.
After the flick team had returned with 0: 2 in the two Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan and in the Liga Clasico against Real Madrid (4: 3) and the comeback was made, it could now play out the strength in possession of the ball on their own leadership. Barca had almost 80 percent of the play equipment, putting his opponent in his own half.
Flick apparently gives a championship title new contract
Barca was by no means his best day, but this one magical moment of Yamal was enough to play the lead in a playful way. Thanks to another Szczesny parade (74th), the derby victory, but above all, was the success that gives the Catalans the national triple. The last doubts were eliminated when Leandro Cabrera saw the red card after a punch against Yamal’s belly according to video evidence (78th), shortly before the end, Lopez made the final point (90.+6) after the Yamal template.
Barca expanded his lead over Real Madrid to eight points, which are no longer possible in the other two league charges. Previously, Barca had won the Supercopa and Copa del Rey final against the arch -rival from the Spanish capital.
For Flick it is the third championship title after becoming a national champion in Germany in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons with FC Bayern Munich. The 60-year-old Barca coach has been in the summer since last summer, and according to matching media reports, he should already agree with those responsible for the club about an early extension of his contract that runs until 2026.