Lorraine Williamson
With just two games left to play, FC Barcelona have sealed the La Liga title following a decisive 2-0 away victory over city rivals Espanyol — a match that not only brought glory to the blaugrana but left their neighbours dangling precariously above relegation.
This wasn’t just any derby. This was the night the title was clinched, tempers flared, and a 17-year-old stole the show.
The match: Yamal lights the fuse
The first half was tense, with both sides probing, with Espanyol desperate to keep their slim survival hopes alive. Robert Lewandowski came into the game hoping to bag his 100th goal for the club, and although he came close on more than one occasion, Lamine Yamal stole the headlines.
In the 53rd minute, the teenager dazzled down the right, carving through defenders before sending a curling ball into the top corner of the net to put Barça in front. If the goal wasn’t enough, Yamal was also at the heart of the second — providing a clean assist for Fermín López to wrap things up deep into stoppage time.
Between the two goals, the pressure of the moment proved too much for Espanyol. With around 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Leandro Cabrera saw red after a reckless confrontation with Yamal — a flashpoint that signalled the end of any serious resistance.
Barça managed the rest of the game with professionalism and composure, knowing the job was nearly done. And when the final whistle blew, the celebrations erupted — albeit briefly.
Ugly end to the night
As Barcelona’s players began to celebrate on the pitch, Espanyol staff attempted to disrupt proceedings by turning on the stadium sprinklers. Hansi Flick — in what may become an iconic image — was seen calming players and encouraging dignity despite the provocation. The post-match chaos was a disappointing footnote on what should have been a joyous Catalan footballing moment.
Worse still, an incident outside the stadium saw a car drive into a crowd of fans, leaving several injured. Early reports suggest it was accidental, with the driver detained at the scene.
La Liga dynamics with two games left
Barcelona’s win puts them well clear of Real Madrid, meaning the top two are now locked in. But just beneath the surface, the league is far from settled.
Take Villarreal, for instance. With strong momentum and a favourable fixture list, they’re now within striking distance of a top-four finish — and Champions League qualification — should either Atlético Madrid or Athletic Club falter in the final stretch. The race for third could well go down to the wire.
Meanwhile, Real Betis, Mallorca, and even Celta Vigo are still dreaming of European nights next season, with just a handful of points separating them. The Europa and Conference League spots are up for grabs, and these last two matchdays could flip everything upside down.
At the other end, Valladolid have already packed their bags for Segunda. But the fate of Las Palmas, Leganés, and Alavés is still hanging in the balance. Espanyol, despite a brief late-season rally, now find themselves in the thick of it again — their derby defeat not only cost them pride, but possibly survival. Every point matters now. Every goal could make or break a season.
Two games, six points
For Barcelona, the final two matches will be a celebration — a chance to rest key players, test youth, and soak in the glory of another league title.
For everyone else? The drama has only just begun. Two games. Six points. Countless possibilities.