It was not just winning a League. It was doing it against Madrid. It was not just winning a clásico. It was doing it in the clásico that decided the title. It was not just any celebration. It was a unique celebration. That’s how the Barcelona fans understood it at the Spotify Camp Nou, turned into a wave of emotions. That’s how the blaugrana players interpreted it, who gave their all to not miss an opportunity that had never come before. Barcelona’s second consecutive League came thanks to two superb goals from Rashford and Ferran. The fifth title of the Flick era arrived with a victory over a shattered and disoriented Madrid, lost in their fights and lack of a plan. Barça’s third League in four seasons was unleashed justly and with the team’s best player, Lamine Yamal, enjoying it from the stands due to injury.
It is his League, as it is Flick’s, who suffered the death of his father hours before the match and was cheered by a congregation that adores him. But it would be unfair to focus on one name or another because the great thing about this team is its chorus, its solidarity, its determination and, of course, its barcelonism, with that Masia base that is a hallmark of identity.
Euphoria spread through the Camp Nou already at halftime. Everything that could go right in the match was going even better. Barça led 2-0, was superior and looked superb. Meanwhile, Madrid was barely holding on. Hansi Flick’s bets were working wonderfully. He had chosen Rashford over Rooney for the right flank, and the Englishman scored a great goal. He had opted for Ferran Torres instead of Lewandowski, and the Valencian scored a magnificent goal. He had picked Eric Garcia over Koundé to nullify Vinícius, and the Brazilian was barely involved.
Rashford opened the scoring with a masterful free kick and Ferran sealed it with another superb goal
A cinematic scene, with the crowd singing the full range of chants, from jubilation to mocking the rival.
The most important thing, what had happened on the pitch until that moment, had been in Barcelona’s favor. While Flick, cheered by the crowd, had bet on passion and feeling in his lineup, Madrid presented a starting eleven with notable absences, such as Mbappé, who did not travel claiming he was still injured, or Huijsen, who felt discomfort during warm-up. A blurred lineup, with a disappearing Bellingham or an off-target Camavinga and Tchouaméni, a starter, after his fistfight with Valverde.
Only Brahim, undetectable behind Gavi and Pedri, caused problems. Otherwise, Barça had the power, both with and without the ball, with the Barcelonans turning into jets in pressing. What determination from Fermín, a greyhound in depth. What intensity from Olmo. What speed from Ferran. What set-piece skill from Rashford. What walls Cubarsí and Gerard Martín. What ardor from Gavi.
The Englishman opened the scoring with a masterful free kick caused by Ferran. A perfect shot. A kick better suited for a left-footer but finished by a right-footer over the wall and to the post of a returning Courtois, who could do nothing.
Just as he could do nothing against the second, by Ferran after a pass from Fermín and a backheel layoff from Olmo. Two wonderful canvases. Two beautifully crafted paintings.
Barça was in a position not only to seal the League but to deal a blow to Madrid. Joan Garcia only had trouble with a weak shot from Gonzalo and a counterattack that Eric Garcia saved before Vinícius arrived.
The Camp Nou gave itself over to a passionate celebration in an unprecedented triumph
In the other area, Rashford, very involved, missed the third in a one-on-one against the white goalkeeper, who won the duel, and Olmo also wasted a good chance.
Barça could go full throttle or also calm the game down, an art in which the leader was Pedri.
Only 45 minutes remained to unleash the party and to make official that the title was Barça’s. And it was. More goals could have come along the way. Like in a Ferran action that Courtois, one of the best in a white team without reaction capacity, stopped with his foot. Not even when Vinícius clashed with Olmo after an Asencio tackle did Madrid ignite, with Bellingham falling in the area seeking a penalty from Eric that was not given.
Just in case, Flick renewed the energy of his team and brought back Raphinha alongside De Jong. A mix of heart and head to keep moving closer to victory, with shouts of “champions, champions” already fifteen minutes from the end, when Lewandowski and Bernal appeared.
With the final whistle, it was time for the party, to let go, for hugs. Barça’s 29th League was in the bag. A demonstration that the blaugrana team has a present and future project and Madrid is a misgovernment. What a night that day was. The day Barça was crowned League champion against Madrid.
