Espanyol 2-4 Barcelona - Barca seal first La Liga title since 2019 with thumping win over rivals
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Updated 15/05/2023 at 07:28 GMT
Barcelona clinched their first La Liga title in four years in style as they thrashed rivals Espanyol 4-2. Robert Lewandowski netted twice in the first half and Alejandro Balde also scored to put Barca in control. Jules Kounde added a third as Barca got the win that secures the title. They are 14 points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid with four games of the season left to play.
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FC Barcelona clinched their 27th La Liga title after a 4-2 victory over local rivals Espanyol
Xavi's side made the perfect start to the Derbi Barceloní when Robert Lewandowski fired his side ahead after just 11 minutes. Alejandro Balde did brilliantly down the left-hand side to get past Oscar Gil before firing in a cross which was met by the Poland international.
Less than 10 minutes later Barcelona had a second. Gavi hung up a cross to the back post and Balde was on hand to volley home for his first Barcelona goal and the second of the match.
Five minutes from the half things went from bad to worse for Espanyol when they conceded a third. Raphinha provided a cross from the right and Lewandowski was there to tap the ball home from close range.
Jules Kounde made it 4-0 for Barcelona less than 10 minutes into the second half, Frenkie De Jong played a brilliant pass over the top and Kounde was there to head home for his first goal for the club.
Espanyol pulled one back 15 minutes from time when Javi Puado intelligently dinked an effort over Marc Andre Ter Stegen and into the back of the net but it was nothing more than a consolation, despite an injury-time goal from Joselu who scored with the last kick of the game.
It is Barcelona's first league title since 2019 and Xavi's first La Liga title as a manager.
There were unsavoury scenes after the full-time whistle as celebrating Barcelona players were forced to run down the tunnel as Espanyol fans invaded the pitch.
TALKING POINT - LA LIGA CHAMPIONS
FC Barcelona have won their 27th La Liga title, their first since 2018/19.
This conquest is Xavi's first La Liga title as a manager and he can add his winner's medal to the eight he won as a player at Camp Nou. It has been a phenomenal season domestically for Barcelona, they have lost just three league games and are yet to lose at home. To win the league with four games still to play shows how superior they have been in Spain this season.
Defensively they've been remarkable, conceding just 11 goals in 34 games so far and at the Camp Nou, they have conceded just two goals all season.
After a couple of years of rebuilding and trying to re-establish themselves as serious force in the post-Lionel Messi age, Barcelona now have their reward.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - FRENKIE DE JONG (FC BARCELONA)
The Dutch midfielder was a joy to watch for Barcelona tonight. He completed 100 passes for his side, helping them to establish a rhythm and to progress his side up the pitch. His assist for Jules Kounde's goal was a moment of sheer magic. He worked hard off the ball too, winning five duels, making two tackles and two interceptions. A complete performance from the 26-year-old.
PLAYER RATINGS
Espanyol: Pacheco 5, Oscar Gil 6, Cabrera 6, Montes 6, Gomez 6, Olivan 6, Suarez 6, Darder 7, Nicolas Melamed 6, Braithwaite 6, Joselu 7 Subs: Calero 7, Puado 7, Pedrosa 7, Koleosho N/A, Exposito N/A
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Balde 8, Christensen 7, Araujo 7, Kounde 7, Pedri 7, Busquets 7, de Jong 9, Gavi 7, Lewandowski 9, Raphinha 7 Subs: Dembele 6, Alba 6, Alonso 6, Fati 6, Kessie N/A
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
11' GOAL - FC BARCELONA - The perfect start from the champions elect! Alejandro Balde does brilliantly down the left-hand side to go past Oscar Gil before firing in a cross which is met by Robert Lewandowski.
20' GOAL - FC BARCELONA - Barcelona make it 2-0 inside 20 minutes! Gavi hangs a cross up to the back post and Balde is there to volley home. It's his first goal for FC Barcelona and what a game to score it in!
40' GOAL - FC BARCELONA - Raphinha whips in a cross from the right-hand side and Lewandowski is on hand to tap it home from close range! It may be checked for an offside in the build-up.
53' GOAL - FC BARCELONA - Jules Kounde has made it 4-0 with his first goal for Barcelona! Frenkie De Jong fires in a brilliant cross and Kounde is there to head it home.
73' GOAL - ESPANYOL - Puado dinks the ball brilliantly over Ter Stegen to make it 4-1. The flag has went up but the replay shows he was clearly nside and this will count!
90' GOAL - ESPANYOL - Espanyol get another goal with what will probably be the last kick of the game! The ball cannons off the post and Joselu taps in the rebound.
KEY STAT
Barcelona have won La Liga with four games to spare.
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