Barcelona clinched the LaLiga title on Thursday night with a commanding 2-0 victory over Espanyol, sealing a sensational season under new manager Hansi Flick.
A day earlier, Real Madrid had narrowed the gap with a 2-1 win against Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu, reducing the deficit to four points.
But Barça’s win ensured they pulled seven points clear with only two games left, confirming them as champions.
The first half ended without a breakthrough, but shortly after the interval, Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion.
The teenager cut inside from the right and curled a trademark left-footed strike into the top corner, handing Barça a deserved lead.
Drama followed as Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera was dismissed for elbowing Yamal in the stomach, leaving the hosts with ten men. Barcelona then added a second goal late on to seal the win and the title.
Flick, 60, took charge last summer following Xavi Hernández’s departure after a barren season.
The German had already delivered the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey, defeating Madrid in both finals.
The LaLiga crown completes a domestic treble for Flick in his first year at the club, a remarkable achievement that marks one of the most successful debut campaigns in recent memory.
Barcelona’s Champions League journey ended in the semifinals at the hands of Inter Milan. Nevertheless, it was their deepest run in the tournament since 2019.
This marks Barcelona’s second league triumph in three seasons and their 28th overall, second only to Real Madrid’s 36 titles.
Flick arrived with the mission of turning a youthful squad into serial winners, and he wasted no time.
His team stormed through the early part of the campaign, winning 11 of their first 12 LaLiga fixtures, including an emphatic 4-0 win away to Real Madrid in October.
However, a rough patch in November and December saw them lose four out of seven matches, slipping behind Madrid and Atlético.
At one point in January, they trailed Ancelotti’s side by seven points.
Barça, however, rebounded in style. They have gone unbeaten in LaLiga throughout 2025, catching and eventually surpassing Madrid to reclaim the summit.
A dramatic 4-3 win in last weekend’s El Clásico, Barcelona’s fourth victory over Madrid this season, proved crucial, extending their lead to seven points with just three games left.
Flick’s tactical blueprint has defined the campaign: a high defensive line, relentless pressing, and an attack-minded philosophy regardless of the match situation.
It’s a style that’s delivered results. Barcelona have netted four or more goals in 13 league matches, including dominant displays against Madrid and Atlético.
The attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski has lit up the league, while Pedri’s consistent performances in midfield have helped stabilize and elevate the team’s overall play.
