Barcelona defeats Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga thanks to late goals and spectacular finishes.

Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 this Saturday (3), in a match valid for the 18th round of La Liga , played at the RCDE Stadium. For those who imagined an easy game for the visitors and favorites, the Catalan derby was marked by intense rivalry in the stands and by several clear goal opportunities for both teams, highlighting, however, the exceptional quality of the Blaugrana players in the final moments, which defined the result.

With this result, the team managed by Manolo González , which has been performing well, remains in fifth position and continues fighting for a place in European competitions, totaling 33 points in 18 matches, with 10 wins, three draws and five losses, in addition to 22 goals scored and 19 conceded. On the other hand, the team managed by Hansi Flick remains the absolute leader on its way to a second consecutive championship, with 49 points in 19 games, obtained with 16 wins, one draw and two losses, with 53 goals scored — the best attack in the tournament — and 20 conceded.

Barcelona started the clásico with pressure, but struggled to finish, despite attacking moves involving Ferran Torres , Lamine Yamal , and Pedri coming close to scoring. Espanyol created chances on counter-attacks, especially with Roberto Fernández and Pere Milla , but Joan García —the game’s main protagonist—made at least three great saves that prevented the opponent from opening the scoring.

Off the field, Espanyol fans protested against the number 13, in his first game against the club since transferring to their biggest local rival. In the second half, Barcelona maintained possession and wasted clear opportunities, while Espanyol created danger on counter-attacks, without managing to overcome the well-known defensive wall.

At the 40-minute mark, the beautiful display finally resulted in a goal, to the delight of spectators around the world, although it frustrated Espanyol fans present at the stadium, who witnessed yet another negative result in the derby. In a masterful move for the side accustomed to winning in the city, Fermín López advanced through the middle, beat his marker and passed to Dani Olmo , who finished first-time with his right foot, a low, placed shot across goal into the top left corner of Marko Dmitrović ‘s net , leaving him with no chance of making a save.

Shortly after, Olmo tried to extend the lead with a free kick from the left, but the opposing goalkeeper made an excellent save. In the 44th minute, the fatal blow came from the relentless Robert Lewandowski : Fermín, once again the protagonist of the play, advanced down the right, entered the area and passed low to the number 9, who finished with a chip over the goalkeeper with a single touch of class. Final score: 2-0 to Barcelona.

Espanyol will have a week off and will return to the pitch next Sunday at 12:15 pm (Brasília time), against Levante , at the Ciutat de València Stadium, in a match valid for the 19th round of La Liga. Barcelona, ​​in turn, will have a different routine: they travel to Saudi Arabia to face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup , this Wednesday (7), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the King Abdullah Stadium.