May 16 – Barcelona were crowned LaLiga champions on Wednesday night after a 2-0 derby win at Espanyol – and fittingly, it was Lamine Yamal who delivered the decisive blow.
The 17-year-old sensation curled a stunning strike into the top corner early in the second half to set Barça on course for their 28th league title, capping off a breakout season that has confirmed their place back among the brightest stars in world football.
Yamal’s brilliance was not limited to the opener. After Espanyol were reduced to ten men following Leandro Cabrera’s late red card for striking the young forward, Yamal assisted fellow La Masia graduate Fermín López in stoppage time to wrap up the win – and with it, a domestic treble for Hansi Flick in his first season in charge.
It’s been a campaign to remember for Yamal, who already lifted the European Championship with Spain last summer and has now added a second LaLiga medal to his growing trophy haul. He leads the league in assists with 12 and has established himself as the creative heartbeat of Flick’s youthful side.
The result confirms Barcelona’s status as champions with two games to spare, dethroning arch-rivals Real Madrid, whom they also beat in last month’s Copa del Rey final.
While a quadruple had been on the cards, their dramatic 7-6 aggregate Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan earlier this month ended that dream. Still, the domestic treble marks a resurgent campaign under Flick, with players like Yamal and Raphinha – who has tripled his goal tally and sits third in the assist charts – stepping into starring roles.
“We didn’t have many clear chances but we have a kid in there who sometimes pulls something out of the golden feet he has and he gave us peace of mind to stay in the game more calmly,” Raphinha said of Yamal.
“In January some people were saying we would fight to be third. We have confidence in ourselves. That’s the key. We trust in the work and in what we know we can do.
“The most important thing was the confidence of the coach. Knowing at the start of the season that he was counting on me, a person who controls the team… it changes you in the end.”
Barcelona will host Villarreal this Sunday before closing out the season away to Athletic Club. Though they remain eight titles behind Real Madrid’s record 36, with Yamal at the heart of this new-look side, Barça’s future is beginning to look as bright as its past.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1747436216labto1747436216ofdlr1747436216owedi1747436216sni@g1747436216niwe.1747436216yrrah1747436216