Barcelona overcame LaLiga's controversial decision to schedule a late match on gameweek 27 just after the end of the World Cup qualifiers and Nations League quarter-finals. Hansi Flick's side beat Osasuna 3-0 with goals from Ferrán Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium.
Even without Raphinha (rest due to physical exhaustion), Barcelona needed just 11 minutes to open the scoring, with Baldé finding Ferrán Torres on a cross after a beautiful exchange of passes. Two minutes later, Dani Olmo was brought down by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera after dribbling into the area. Olmo missed the first spot-kick, but the VAR detected encroachment, and Olmo scored Barcelona's second goal.
In the second half, Barcelona managed their lead well and Robert Lewandowski scored the third goal, coming off the bench to continue his scoring routine this season.
La Liga Standings
PTS | W | |
|---|---|---|
1. Barcelona | 63 | 20 |
2. Real Madrid | 60 | 18 |
3. Atletico Madrid | 56 | 16 |
Considering that Barcelona have opened up a three-point lead over Real Madrid, we can say that the Catalan team has taken a giant step towards confirming its favouritism and becoming champions of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. Barça is the most consistent team in Spanish soccer and one of the best teams in world soccer today.
On the other hand, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are dealing with problems that end up limiting the power of their squads, with difficulties in maintaining advantages (Atleti) and problems that draw attention to the completion of plays (Real). As a result, Barça will probably not leave the top spot until the end of the season.