BREAKING: Xavi Led-Barcelona Are 2023 LA LIGA Champions [PHOTOS]—-FC Barcelona clinched their 27th La Liga title after a 4-2 victory over local rivals Espanyol
Xavi’s side made the perfect start to the Derbi Barceloní when Robert Lewandowski fired his side ahead after just 11 minutes. Alejandro Balde did brilliantly down the left-hand side to get past Oscar Gil before firing in a cross which was met by the Poland international.
Less than 10 minutes later Barcelona had a second. Gavi hung up a cross to the back post and Balde was on hand to volley home for his first Barcelona goal and the second of the match.
Five minutes from the half things went from bad to worse for Espanyol when they conceded a third. Raphinha provided a cross from the right and Lewandowski was there to tap the ball home from close range.
Jules Kounde made it 4-0 for Barcelona less than 10 minutes into the second half, Frenkie De Jong played a brilliant pass over the top and Kounde was there to head home for his first goal for the club.
Espanyol pulled one back 15 minutes from time when Javi Puado intelligently dinked an effort over Marc Andre Ter Stegen and into the back of the net but it was nothing more than a consolation, despite an injury-time goal from Joselu who scored with the last kick of the game.
It is Barcelona’s first league title since 2019 and Xavi’s first La Liga title as a manager.
There were unsavoury scenes after the full-time whistle as celebrating Barcelona players were forced to run down the tunnel as Espanyol fans invaded the pitch.
