Barcelona win La Liga for first time since 2019 as Robert Lewandowski strikes twice against Espanyol
Barcelona (Source: Twitter)
Barcelona won La Liga for the first time since 2019 with a 4-2 victory against Espanyol on Sunday, reclaiming the title from rivals Real Madrid. The Catalan giants won their 27th Spanish title in their rivals’ stadium, with events turning nasty at full-time when ecstatic Barcelona players were forced off the ground by pitch invaders.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice for Barcelona, and Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundescored one each. However, Javi Puado and Joselu pulled two goals back for the hosts late on. Barcelona has had a difficult time on and off the pitch in recent years, but their victory signifies a considerable change, with coach Xavi Hernandez earning his first major prize since taking over in November 2021.
In view of the club’s difficult financial circumstances, President Joan Laporta’s rebuilding was highly questioned last summer. Early elimination from the Champions League was a setback, but the team won the Spanish Super Cup in January before winning La Liga with four games to go.
That’s to the absolute merit of the team: Xavi
“It was a very emotional moment, a moment very hard not to celebrate after so many months of work,” said Xavi. “We didn’t celebrate just because it was Espanyol’s stadium.”
The coach stated that the victory showed the team was on the right track. “(It brings) a lot of calm, a lot of hope for the future. “I am very happy. We did a great job, a league won with four games remaining, that’s to the absolute merit of the team,” he said.
They produced an electrifying performance, one of their best this season, to secure victory and drop their local rivals to 19th, four points from safety with four games remaining. Barcelona took the lead via Lewandowski, who finished from close range following a superb pass from Alejandro Balde.
The second goal was scored by the left-back himself, with Pedri sweeping a cross to the back post for him to pounce on. Barca added a third goal just before halftime when Raphinha put the ball on a platter for Lewandowski to score.
