Barcelona clinch Laliga title after dominant derby victory

Barcelona win their first LaLiga title since 2019 with a resounding 4-0 victory over Catalan rivals Espanyol.

Following Real Madrid's slip-up two weeks ago, Barcelona entered this game knowing a win would see them crowned champions. 

They were utterly dominant in the encounter, winning the league title at Cornella El-Prat, the stadium of their bitter local rivals, Espanyol.

The league leaders started with a pop, creating chance after chance in what looked like a training session against their lacklustre rivals.

They were rewarded for their industry early on when Alejandro Balde ran down the byline before cutting back to Lewandowski, who was at the right place to direct the ball home for a close-range finish in the 11th minute of the game. 

Balde went from provider to scorer in the 20th minute, attacking the far post and knocking in a Pedri chipped cross to make it two for the Blaugrana. 

Lewandowski got his brace on the 40th-minute mark from a goal similar to the first. This time, the cross was from the right-hand flank, and the Pole bundled the ball into the net. 

Barcelona resumed scoring in the second half when a well-weighted Frenkie de Jong lob found the head of Jules Kounde, who made it four in the 53rd minute.

Substitution plus complacency saw Barcelona ship in two goals, with Javi Puado and Joselu scoring in the 73rd and 92nd minutes, respectively.

While the win sees the Blaugrana lift the LaLiga title, the defeat sinks their neighbours deeper into the murky waters of relegation.