Lamine Yamal Scores as Barcelona Defeat Espanyol to Win La Liga Ahead of Real Madrid

• Barcelona have won their 28th La Liga title following their 2-0 away victory over arch-rivals Espanyol on Thursday night
• It's their 12th league title in the 21st century, more than any other Spanish team and behind only Bayern Munich's 18 in Europe's top five leagues
• Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 53rd minute and also registered an assist as Fermín Lopez sealed the win in stoppage time

Lamine Yamal’s spectacular strike secured a 2-0 away victory for Barcelona against Espanyol on Thursday night, May 15, 2025, clinching the La Liga title ahead of Real Madrid.

The 17-year-old star scored in the 53rd minute at RCDE Stadium, curling a brilliant left-footed shot into the top corner after cutting in from the right.

Barcelona’s high-pressing game, orchestrated by Hansi Flick, stifled Espanyol’s attempts to respond, despite their strong home record.

A crucial save by Wojciech Szczesny and a red card to Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera in the 80th minute further tilted the match in Barcelona’s favour.

Fermín Lopez sealed the win in stoppage time, finding the back of the net in stoppage time to seal the win for the Catalan side.

The win, coupled with Real Madrid’s earlier stumble, left Barcelona seven points clear with two games remaining, ensuring their 28th La Liga crown.

Yamal’s registered 17 goals and 24 assists this season to cement his status as a global sensation, with fans and pundits drawing parallels to Lionel Messi.

Celebrations erupted in Cornella as Barcelona overcame a resilient Espanyol side to mark a triumphant end to a dominant campaign under Flick’s leadership, per Al Jazeera.

Barcelona, under the tactician, completed a domestic trophy sweep, winning the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and La Liga.

Flick’s debut season saw the Camp Nou outfit dominate, defeating Real Madrid in both cup finals and all four Clasico encounters.

Despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals, where they fell to Inter Milan in a thrilling clash, Barcelona’s 169 goals across competitions showed that they were superior.

And Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old star, proved decisive again, scoring a signature curling shot from Dani Olmo’s pass in the 53rd minute.

Barcelona weathered late pressure, with Wojciech Szczesny’s saves and Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera’s red card sealing the hosts’ fate.

As a result, the Catalan club have clinched more 21st-century La Liga titles at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium than at home.

There was a slight melee between the players at the final whistle as Barca started to celebrate, with ground staff turning the sprinklers on to get the visiting players off the pitch, BBC reports.

Real Madrid appoint new coach

Legit.ng earlier reported that Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new head coach, replacing Carlo Ancelotti in a landmark managerial change at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Alonso's announcement follows his emotional farewell to Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German side to their first-ever Bundesliga title in an unbeaten campaign, also securing a domestic double.

The tactician's final match at home ended in a 4-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund, but the Spaniard leaves with his reputation elevated as one of Europe’s brightest young managers.

Source: Legit.ng