Barcelona clinch La Liga title as relegation battle stays tight
Thibaut Courtois kept the margin respectable with late saves from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, but the result had long since settled the title race and Barcelona's celebrations were inevitable.
Monday May 11, 2026
FC Barcelona sealed the 2025-26 La Liga title in emphatic fashion on Sunday, beating Real Madrid 2-0 at home to claim the championship in front of their own fans.
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Marcus Rashford put Barcelona in command early with a thunderous free kick in the ninth minute, before Ferran Torres struck again in the 18th after a slick exchange involving Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo.
Real Madrid never looked like getting back into the game, and Barcelona was able to control the match in the second half.
Thibaut Courtois kept the margin respectable with late saves from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, but the result had long since settled the title race and Barcelona’s celebrations were inevitable.
“Winning the title here against Real Madrid is a taste of glory,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri said after the game.
“We are a fantastic team and played really well and defended very well. It wasn’t as easy as people think,” said an emotional Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, whose father’s death was announced earlier in the day, in the post-game celebrations.
Elsewhere, Mallorca’s fight to stay in the top flight continues after a 1-1 home draw with Villarreal kept their survival hopes hanging by a thread.
Villarreal, which has already secured a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, went ahead in the 31st minute when Ayoze Perez converted from the penalty spot.
Vedat Muriqi equalized in first-half stoppage time after a costly error from Villarreal goalkeeper Arnau Tenas, who spilled a cross into his own penalty area.
Valencia earned a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao thanks to a second-half header from substitute Umar Sadiq.
Hugo Duro missed a first-half penalty for Valencia, but the visitors were also indebted to goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, whose series of strong saves preserved the deadlock.
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams had to leave the game in the first half with a muscle injury.
Real Oviedo drew 0-0 at home to Getafe and will be relegated on Monday if Girona takes a point against Rayo Vallecano.