Barcelona clinches its 28th La Liga identify, home treble

BARCELONA, Spain — This was once Lamine Yamal’s season.

So it simply needed to be the teenage phenom who scored the decisive function to clinch Barcelona’s 28th Spanish league identify.

And what a function it was once for the participant who nonetheless wears dental braces and sports activities a brand new dyed-blond hairdo.

READ: Barcelona rallies previous Real Madrid, strikes nearer to La Liga identify

The 17-year-old struck the winner in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Espanyol on Thursday when he slid previous two defenders outdoor the realm and whipped one his now trademark left-footed curlers into the nook of the online.

It was once a really perfect fruits to Yamal’s final 10 months.

After serving to Spain win the European Championship final summer season, Yamal excelled for Barcelona this marketing campaign along with his targets, dribbling and playmaking as he showed his standing as the following large famous person of worldwide football. Along with Raphinha, Pedri and corporate, and Barcelona was once unstoppable.

“I always try my best and today I was lucky it went in,” Yamal mentioned. “I am very happy I could help the team and celebrate it.”

READ: Barcelona inches nearer to Madrid competitors in Spanish league

Fermín López ensured the win in stoppage time after Espanyol was once lowered to 10 males within the 80th when Leandro Cabrera gained an immediate pink for hitting Yamal within the abdomen whilst disputing a ball.

Barcelona gained the identify with two rounds final. It finished a home double with the Copa del Rey identify — treble for those who upload the Spanish Super Cup — and reached the Champions League semifinals in an improbable first season for trainer Hansi Flick.

Flick’s group nearly ended Madrid’s identify protection when it beat its most sensible rival 4-3 on Sunday, making it 4 of 4 clasico victories throughout all competitions this season.

Madrid’s victory over Mallorca on Wednesday averted Barcelona from profitable the identify with out taking part in. But the Catalan membership wanted simply two issues from its ultimate 3 video games of the season.

Barcelona’s avid gamers danced in brief at the box to have fun whilst sprinklers doused them with water.

“You don’t win a league every day and we have to enjoy this and give it the value it has,” mentioned Barcelona midfielder Pedri after finishing his 200th sport for his membership at age 22.

Lionel Messi posted a message on Instagram sending his “Congratulations” for his previous group. Real Madrid additionally congratulated its fierce rival on X, whilst hundreds of Barcelona enthusiasts accrued to have fun in downtown Barcelona.

Flick leads the way in which

Barcelona’s head trainer Hansi Flick, heart, tries to get his avid gamers off the pitch all through a Spanish La Liga football fit between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Barcelona ruled the home competitions, profitable 15 and drawing two of its league video games in 2025. Toss within the cups, and the one tiny blemish was once coming oh-so-close to attaining the Champions League ultimate earlier than it fell in gut-wrenching style at Inter Milan.

Yamal credited his trainer for uplifting a core of avid gamers who had gained not anything final season beneath Xavi Hernández.

“We are thankful for what Xavi have us, but it is true that coach (Flick) has given us a new life,” Yamal mentioned.

Looking again on his arrival in the summertime, Flick mentioned that he had instilled a “positive” perspective in his group and it had tailored smartly to his taste of play that calls for a top line of defense and all-in urgent.

“Barcelona has to win titles and three titles is really great,” Flick mentioned. “I suffered a bit after the game in Milan, but after winning three titles I am very happy and the club is too.”

Yamal makes a decision the fit

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal reacts after scoring all through a Spanish La Liga football fit between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Espanyol outplayed its wealthier rival within the first part. But Urko González shot large on a counterattack early on and Javi Puado couldn’t beat Wojciech Szczesny in a one-on-one alternative.

But Yamal’s nice shot within the 53rd minute put Barcelona in keep an eye on. Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who’s connected to a transfer to a large membership this summer season, together with Barcelona, dove however couldn’t achieve the peerlessly positioned shot.

On Yamal’s function, Pedri mentioned: “He scored two goals like that today in practice. We are fortunate to have him on our side.”

Espanyol had to a just right end result from the derby because it hopes to stick out of the relegation battle. Espanyol remained in 16th position and 5 issues from the drop zone.

Car incident outdoor stadium

Barcelona enthusiasts have fun on the street after their group gained the Spanish La Liga football championship in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

The sport was once in brief paused through the referee within the opening mins when a automotive rammed right into a crowd outdoor the RCDE Stadium, injuring a number of other folks. Authorities mentioned it was once an coincidence and now not associated with the sport.

Athletic qualifies for Champions League

Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao secured a Champions League spot after profitable 2-0 at Getafe.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid misplaced 2-0 at Osasuna, whilst Real Betis stumbled in its battle for a fifth-place end and the final Champions League spot after drawing 2-2 Rayo Vallecano.