Barcelona claimed their 29th Spanish league title on Sunday with a commanding 2-0 Clasico victory over Real Madrid, condemning their fiercest rivals to a trophyless season.
First-half strikes from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres moved Hansi Flick’s side an unassailable 14 points clear of second-placed Madrid with three matches remaining. It marked only the second time in history that a Clasico has directly decided the La Liga title.
Madrid arrived in turmoil after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury sustained in a training-ground altercation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, who nonetheless started. Barcelona coach Flick, despite the death of his father before the match, took his place on the touchline to oversee a comfortable triumph.
The German deployed energetic loanee Rashford on the right wing in place of the injured Lamine Yamal. The Catalans, needing only a draw, raced into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes. Rashford opened the scoring with a superb free-kick into the top-left corner from 20 yards. Torres then doubled the advantage at a jubilant Camp Nou, finishing after a clever backheel from Dani Olmo.
Madrid, urged on by coach Álvaro Arbeloa – who is unlikely to remain next season – battled to stem the bleeding. Rashford narrowly missed a third before the break, and Torres was denied early in the second half by Thibaut Courtois. Jude Bellingham had a goal ruled out for offside, while Joan Garcia thwarted Vinícius Júnior.
Barcelona fans taunted the Brazilian over his unfulfilled Ballon d’Or ambitions with inflatable beach balls, lapping up the party atmosphere. Courtois later saved from substitutes Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski as Madrid avoided further damage.
Flick’s side remain on course to match the record of 100 points in a league season and could win all their home matches by beating Real Betis in their final fixture. Meanwhile, Madrid face a second consecutive major trophy-less campaign and a summer reshuffle, with former coach José Mourinho linked to a potential return. For now, president Florentino Pérez appears unable to end Flick’s domestic domination.
