Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019 on Sunday, defeating Espanyol 4-2 and reclaiming the title from rivals Real Madrid.Information Guide Nigeria
The Catalan giants won their 27th Spanish title at their rivals’ stadium, with scenes turning ugly at full time when ecstatic Barcelona players were forced off the ground by pitch invaders.
👉 Relocate to Canada Today!
Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaRobert Lewandowski scored twice for Barcelona, along with goals for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, however Javi Puado and Joselu pulled two goals back for the hosts late on.
Barcelona have had a difficult time on and off the pitch in recent years, but their victory signifies a substantial change, with coach Xavi Hernandez claiming his first major prize since taking over in November 2021.
President Joan Laporta’s rebuild was widely criticised last summer in light of the club’s perilous financial situation.
Other Top Football News:
- Pogba injured in first start after 12 months
- Why Xavi told Barcelona players to celebrate inside
- Former Spain and Barcelona defender Ferran Olivella ‘Pass away’
- Chelsea ‘offered’ Christian Pulisic in stunning $108m transfer swap move
Early Champions League exit was a setback, but the club won the Spanish Super Cup in January before winning La Liga with four games to go.
“It’s a magnificent feeling, (of) work well done,” Xavi told Movistar.
“Ten months of work and sacrifice. The fans deserve it, the club, it gives us stability and security that things are being done well.
“We sealed La Liga with a fantastic game, we were brilliant.”
👉 Relocate to Canada Today!
Live, Study and Work in Canada. No Payment is Required! Hurry Now click here to Apply >> Immigrate to CanadaXavi’s lineup was predictable, and Barcelona’s first team headed to the pitch with one goal in mind, the finish in sight.
They produced an electrifying performance, one of their best this season, to claim victory and drop their city rivals to 19th, four points from safety with four games remaining.
After 11 minutes, Barcelona broke the deadlock with a well-worked goal finished off by Lewandowski for his 20th goal of the season in La Liga.
Ronald Araujo produced an inch-perfect long pass for left-back Balde, who raced past Espanyol defender Oscar Gil and crossed for Lewandowski to score from close range.NYSC Portal
Balde beat Gil again for the second goal, this time after Pedri sprinted to the byline and scooped an appealing cross to the back post.
It was Balde’s first goal for Barcelona, closing off a stellar breakout season for the teenager, who has pushed veteran defender Jordi Alba out of the starting lineup.
As Barcelona flooded forward, Espanyol keeper Fernando Pacheco turned away a Lewandowski effort, as the hosts fought to avoid being blown away.
It worked for a while, until Raphinha put the ball on a plate for Lewandowski to score just before halftime.
The addition of the Polish striker from Bayern Munich was an important component of the Catalans’ rebuilding last summer, and despite a drop in the second half of the season, he has paid the Catalans back in goals.
In stoppage time at the end of the first session, Barcelona custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a stunning save to deny former teammate Martin Braithwaite from close range.
As Espanyol’s defence broke once more, Kounde headed home the fourth goal early in the second half following Frenkie de Jong’s beautiful chipped pass.
Some Espanyol supporters left early, while others requested the board resign, including one obnoxious chant directed at the club’s Chinese owners.
Ter Stegen denied Puado as he was through on goal, determined to set a new La Liga record with his 26th clean sheet of the season.
However, the Espanyol attacker found himself in on goal again moments later and scored with a brilliant lob – a meagre consolation in the face of Espanyol’s defeat and Barcelona’s glory.
Joselu equalised in injury time, but it was too little, too late.
At full-time, Xavi’s team celebrated, much to the chagrin of Espanyol fans, who stormed the pitch, with Barcelona players rushing down the tunnel to escape.JAMB Result
“The celebration is normal, but I know we’re not at home and we can’t lack respect,” added Xavi.
“I know it’s difficult to control but I told them the best thing would be to get inside now.”
Check: JAMB Result
Check and Confirm: How much is Dollar to Naira
