Barcelona Strike Late Again to
Extend Lead at Liga Summit

Barcelona, 4 Jan 2025 (ONA) — Barcelona
cemented their position at the top of the Spanish La Liga with a classic late
show, scoring twice in the final four minutes to defeat a stubborn Espanyol 2-0
in a hard-fought Catalan derby.

The victory, orchestrated by the
impactful substitute Fermín López, extends Barcelona’s lead over second-place
Real Madrid to seven points.

For over 85 minutes, Hansi
Flick’s side were frustrated by a disciplined Espanyol defense and the inspired
goalkeeping of former youth player Joan García. The 24-year-old, facing his old
club, produced a series of vital saves to keep the scores level, including a
crucial stop from Eric García in the 72nd minute.

Just as the match seemed destined
for a draw, Barcelona’s remarkable propensity for late goals surfaced once
more. Entering the fray as a substitute, Fermín López became the catalyst,
first slipping a pass to fellow substitute Dani Olmo, who curled an exquisite
finish into the top corner in the 86th minute.

López was instrumental again in
stoppage time, driving down the right before cutting the ball back for Robert
Lewandowski to apply a simple yet decisive finish from close range. The goals
marked Barcelona’s 12th in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a
league-leading tally that underscores their resilience.

While Espanyol competed
vigorously, their wait for a league victory over their historic rivals extends
further, with their last win dating back to 2009. Barcelona now turn their
focus to maintaining their advantage, while Real Madrid can trim the deficit to
four points with a home victory over Real Betis tonight.

— Ends/Khalid