Player Ratings and Match Highlights

A goal from Lamine Yamal gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Espanyol, and with it their twenty-eighth La Liga title. Yet it was Espanyol who started the better of the two sides. They really ought to have taken the lead after they broke, but holding midfielder Urko Gonzalez dragged his side-footed effort wide of the post.

Espanyol had an equally good chance just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, but Javi Puado was denied by a great save from Wojciech Szczesny. Although Barcelona had spells in the game, Espanyol continued to look dangerous on the break. Barcelona may have gone into this game looking at an opportunity to win, but they would have no doubt gone into the dressing room glad they weren’t behind in this match.

Barcelona looked immediately better in the second-half, though, and they took the lead in the fifty-third minute through Lamine Yamal. The teenage winger cut in from the right and curled in a left-footer into the top corner. It was a fabulous goal. Things got worse for Espanyol when centre-back Leandro Cabrera was sent off for an elbow into the chest of the goalscorer. With Espanyol unable to force an equaliser, Barcelona sealed the win and the La Liga title when Fermin Lopez made it 2-0 in injury-time.

Match Highlights

Espanyol Player Ratings

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Joan Garcia – 6.5/10

Could nothing whatsoever about Yamal’s stupendous goal.

RB: Omar El Hilali – 7/10

Played with purpose and fair aggression in a decent performance.

CB: Marash Kumbulla – 6/10

Had his work cut out after Cabrera was sent off.

CB: Leandro Cabrera – 4/10

Was red carded for an elbow into the chest of Yamal.

LB: Carlos Romero – 6/10

Played relatively well, but was under increasing pressure when Espanyol were reduced to 10 men.

DM: Pol Lozano – 6/10

Did what he could but was replaced after an hour.

DM: Urko Gonzalez – 6.5/10

Unable to convert a wonderful chance inside the Barcelona penalty area in the opening minutes. Worked tirelessly.

LW: Javi Puado – 6.5/10

Had a great chance to opening the scoring, but was denied by Szczesny.

AM: Edu Exposito – 6/10

Somewhat starved of the ball as they game proressed in the second-half.

RW: Antoniu Roca – 7/10

Worked very hard chasing up and down the flank for Espanyol.

CF: Roberto Fernandez – 6/10

Worked hard but was unable to fashion any opportunities for himself.

SUB: Pere Milla – 6/10

Work rate could not be criticised, but he was unable to impact the game.

SUB: Walid Cheddira – 6/10

Much like his colleagues, battled but with little reward.

SUB: Jofre Carreras – 6/10

Given a 22-minute cameo.

SUB: Fernando Calero – 6/10

Given the last eight minutes to get the home side back in it.

Barcelona Player Ratings

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Wojciech Szczesny – 7/10

Had to be alert and did well to deny Puado in the first half.

RB: Eric Garcia – 6.5/10

Had to remain vigilant as Barcelona played a high defensive line.

CB: Ronald Araujo – 6/10

Managed to help the visitors keep a first-half clean sheet before being replaced.

CB: Andreas Christensen – 5.5/10

Looked a little rusty at times and was late to a few challenges.

LB: Gerard Martin – 6/10

Guilty of playing Espanyol onside on a few occasions, as Barcelona persisted with a high line.

DM: Pedri – 7/10

Looked as composed on the ball as ever.

DM: Freddie de Jong – 6.5/10

Saw plenty of the ball as Barca looked to dictate play.

RW: Lamine Yamal – 8/10 – Player of the Match

Relatively quiet by his standards in the first-half, but scored a fabulous goal to put Barcelona 1-0 up.

AM: Dani Olmo – 7/10

Looked full of creativity and ready to pounce.

LW: Raphinha – 5.5/10

Gave the ball away cheaply in the first-half.

CF: Robert Lewandowski – 7/10

Looked the most likely to open the scoring for Barca. Surprisingly brought off with 25 minutes remaining.

SUB: Pau Cubarsi – 6/10

Came on to replace Araujo just after half-time.

SUB: Alejandro Balde – 6/10

Brought on at half-time for Martin.

SUB: Fermin Lopez – 7/10

Introduced in the last 25 minutes with Barca a goal up and sealed their title win with a strike in injury time.

SUB: Hector Fort – 6/10

A late replacement for Gerard Martin.

SUB: Gavi – 6/10

A late replacement for Dani Olmo.