Barcelona clinch first La Liga trophy in four years
Barcelona's players celebrate winning their 27th Spanish league championship after the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat on May 14, 2023. Barcelona won Spain's La Liga for the first time since 2019 by thrashing Espanyol 4-2 today, wrestling the title from rivals Real Madrid. The Catalan giants clinched their 27th Spanish championship with an emphatic derby victory, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice, alongside Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde's goals. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Barcrlona has narrowly sealed their first La Liga title since 2018-19 with four games to spare after a stylish win at the home of city rivals Espanyol.
Barca were 3-0 up by half-time, Robert Lewandowski scoring his 20th league goal of the season before Alejandro Balde, 19, doubled the lead.
Lewandowski added the third before Jules Kounde’s header made it 4-0.
Espanyol did reduce the deficit through Javier Puado and Joselu but remain in trouble near the bottom of the table.
Barcelona have 85 points, 14 more than nearest rivals Real Madrid, with 12 points left to play for.
It is their first La Liga title since club legend Lionel Messi left in August 2021 and first since Xavi was appointed manager in November 2021.
Meanwhile, Espanyol are in danger of a second relegation in four seasons from La Liga after a ninth league defeat in 11 games.
They are four points from safety with four matches left.
