Barcelona maintained their position at the top of LaLiga by securing a 3-1 victory over Espanyol in the highly anticipated Catalan derby on Sunday. The win was highlighted by a first-half brace from Dani Olmo and a third goal from Raphinha, extending their unbeaten streak against Espanyol to an impressive 27 matches.
This triumph allowed Barcelona to stretch their lead to nine points ahead of Real Madrid, who did not play this weekend due to a match postponement caused by severe flooding in the Valencia area. Meanwhile, Espanyol currently sits in 17th place, just above the relegation zone.
Barcelona demonstrated dominance from the outset, nearly scoring early with a sharp passing sequence. Olmo opened the scoring following a brilliant assist from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. His quick strike capitalized on Yamal’s skillful pass. Raphinha followed suit with a clever chip over the Espanyol keeper after another excellent assist by Marc Casadó, making it 2-0.
Although Espanyol had opportunities, including a goal from Jofre Carreras that was ruled offside by VAR, Barcelona continued to build on their lead as Olmo struck again with a powerful shot from outside the box for his fifth LaLiga goal this season.
Despite their strong first half, Barcelona’s offensive output waned after Olmo’s exit early in the second half. Espanyol managed to score through Javi Puado, but it was not enough to change the outcome, as the hosts had already established a commanding lead.
“We’re taking things step by step, and it’s crucial that we keep winning,” Olmo remarked, emphasizing the team’s focus and determination. Despite a more challenging second half, Barcelona’s resolute defense and overall performance secured a vital three points.
This result showcases Barcelona’s strong position in the league and their ability to remain competitive, even during challenging matches. As the season progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from the team as they aim to maintain their form in both domestic and international competitions.