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Espanyol logo
La Liga | Gameweek 34
May 14, 2023 at 8pm UK
RCDE Stadium
Barcelona logo
Espanyol
2 - 4
Barcelona
Puado (73'), Joselu (90+2')
Darder (39')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Lewandowski (11', 40'), Balde (20'), Kounde (53')
Kounde (2'), Gavi (39'), Alba (82')

Barcelona win La Liga title by beating Espanyol in Catalan derby

Barcelona win La Liga title by beating Espanyol in Catalan derby
© Reuters
Barcelona secure the La Liga title with four matches to spare courtesy of their 4-2 win over rivals Espanyol in the Barcelona derby on Sunday night.

Barcelona have won the La Liga title with four matches to spare courtesy of their 4-2 triumph over rivals Espanyol in the Barcelona derby on Sunday night.

Xavi's side entered the contest 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, and their success over Espanyol has moved them 14 points ahead of Los Blancos in the table, so they cannot be caught at the summit.

Barcelona were two goals ahead inside the opening 20 minutes of the derby, with Alejandro Balde setting up Robert Lewandowski for the opener in the 11th minute, before the former got his name on the scoresheet by converting a cross from Pedri, leaving Espanyol with a mountain to climb in the league affair.

Lewandowski then made it 3-0 in the 40th minute by tapping a low Raphinha cross into the back of the net from close range, and the title celebrations could begin early in the second half when Jules Kounde made it four by nodding into the back of the net from a deep Frenkie de Jong pass.

There was a response from relegation-threatened Espanyol, with Javi Puado registering in the 74th minute, but it was always going to be a case of too little, too late from the hosts, who then added a second in stoppage time through Joselu.

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring against Espanyol on May 14, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona again disappointed in Europe this season, failing to progress past the group stage of the Champions League before losing to Manchester United in the Europa League knockout round playoffs, while they were eliminated by Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

However, the Catalan outfit have won their first La Liga title since 2019, with an excellent campaign seeing them collect 85 points from their 34 matches to date.

Barcelona now have four pressure-free games against Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid, Mallorca and Celta Vigo to finish the campaign, but Espanyol still have plenty to fight for, with the Catalan outfit 19th in the table, four points from the safety of 17th position.

Xavi's side are not actually the leading goalscorers at this stage of the campaign, netting 64 to Real Madrid's 70, but they have only conceded 13 times in their 34 matches, with their strong defence proving to be a key part of their success.

A big summer awaits for the club, meanwhile, as they attempt to boost their squad with the acquisition of new signings, although the majority of those could come from the free agent market.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBarcelona36274566184885
2Real Madrid36235872343874
3Atletico MadridAtletico36227766303673
4Real Sociedad36208848321668
5Villarreal361961156362063
6Real BetisBetis36168124339456
7Osasuna36148143439-550
8Athletic Bilbao36148144641550
9GironaGirona361310135651549
10Sevilla361310134550-549
11Mallorca36138153440-647
12Rayo Vallecano361210144349-646
13Valencia36117183942-340
14Celta Vigo361010164151-1040
15Almeria36116194662-1639
16CadizCadiz36911162852-2438
17Getafe36911163244-1238
18Real ValladolidValladolid36115203363-3038
19Espanyol36811174764-1735
RElcheElche3649232866-3821

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