Marcus Rashford put them ahead with a stunning free-kick before Ferran Torres added a second as Barcelona clinched the La Liga title ahead of rivals Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou.
For the first time in almost a century, La Liga was decided with a Clasico against Barcelona, clinching their 29th league title.
It was a victory that put salt in the wounds of a trophy-less Real Madrid side who have endured a tumultuous week behind the scenes.
Kylian Mbappé, who was absent for the night, was at the center of internal tensions until the training ground spat between Aurelien Choameny and Federico Valverde made international news.
With Valverde absent, Choameni was controversially entrusted with the starting role by manager Alvaro Arbeloa, but Madrid’s fighting spirit, which withered under the pressure of Barça, who retained the La Liga title, seemed to have been saved for the training ground.
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Marcus Rashford puts Barcelona ahead with this sensational free-kick goal against Real Madrid
Rashford epitomized Barcelona’s leading start as the hosts brought a party atmosphere. The forward, on loan from Manchester United, set the tone by stepping up and smashing a free-kick into the far corner, beating Thibaut Courtois with all his might.
It was a rampant spell where Real struggled to find their direction. With the away defense at 6 and 7 o’clock, Dani Olmo and Ferran took full advantage and combined well to score the second goal.
Barcelona’s Ferran Torres celebrates his team’s second goal against Real Madrid
Before Real could think of a counterattack, Barca twice came within three points. In the first game, Olmo almost picked out Ferran with a cutback inside the box as Real chased the shadows. The over-hit pass fell just short of the ex-Manchester City forward.
Rashford missed a momentary chance when he played a through ball past Fran Garcia, leaving him one-on-one with Courtois, but Real held off the onslaught and the England international pulled the ball wide of goal.
In the second half, Real improved their performance and stepped up their efforts, led by Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder almost cut off the advantage when he rode on the end of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dimpled pass and led it home. However, the lineman’s flag was quickly raised.
Courtois was called upon late on to keep out second-half substitute Robert Lewandowski, but even a fine goalkeeping performance from the returning Real keeper would not have been enough to prevent the inevitable crowning of champions.
Mourinho: “No contact regarding real job”
Real have failed to win any major accolades for the second season in a row, having also been eliminated in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. Caretaker manager Arbeloa is expected to leave the club this summer, with rumors swirling that he is linked with former Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho.
In response to this rumor, current Benfica manager Mourinho said:
“I have not had any contact with Real Madrid and will not do so until after the last league game against Estoril.
“Then there will be a one-week grace period during which I am free to talk to anyone I think I should talk to, but all the stories, demands and meetings that have been spread so far are speculation.”
