Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Tuesday, 12 May 2026 05:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Ronald Araujo of Barcelona lifts the La Liga trophy after his side defeated Real Madrid at Camp Nou
Barcelona clinched their 29th La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid, opening an unassailable 14-point lead at the top of the table with three games remaining.
Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half on Sunday to help Hansi Flick’s side clinch La Liga in consecutive years, while consigning Madrid to a trophyless season.
This was only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of a Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barca.
Flick’s team were disappointed to be knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid in April, but still determined to celebrate in style.
“This title is more special for winning it at home against Madrid. Now we have to enjoy it with the fans,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar. “We have been the best team in Spain. Of course, we [also] want to win the Champions League – that’s the objective. Next year, we will have another opportunity.”
Rashford opened the scoring with a superb free kick, whipping the ball into the top left corner from 20 yards out, right of centre.
Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage at a jubilant Camp Nou, with the 62,000-strong crowd enjoying the first Clasico back there since the stadium reopened.
Dani Olmo produced a clever back-heel to allow Torres to burst into the box and ram past Thibaut Courtois.
Gonzalo Garcia, playing in place of injured Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, prodded narrowly wide after racing in behind Barca’s high defensive line.
Urged on by coach Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline, who is unlikely to be at the helm next season, Madrid battled to stem the bleeding.
Rashford could have added a third before the break, but he fired wide, with Fermin Lopez unmarked and well placed to finish.
Torres should have struck early in the second half, but Courtois saved from the Spain international as he ran through.
Jude Bellingham put the ball in Barcelona’s net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, while Joan Garcia thwarted Vinicius Junior as Madrid threatened.
Barca fans batted inflatable beach balls around to taunt the Brazilian over his unfulfilled Ballon d’Or ambitions, lapping up the party atmosphere.
