Barcelona claimed another dramatic derby victory and strengthened their position at the summit. Late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski decided the contest against Espanyol. The win lifted Barcelona seven points clear in La Liga. Control and patience defined their performance. The breakthrough arrived only in the closing minutes.
Substitutes deliver decisive moment
Hansi Flick watched his side probe for openings with growing urgency. Espanyol defended deep and limited space between the lines. Barcelona increased the tempo as time ran down. Fermin Lopez provided the spark from the bench. He slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Dani Olmo. Olmo curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner from distance.
Barcelona maintained full attacking focus after taking the lead. Lopez again drove forward with confidence. He created space on the right flank. His cutback found Robert Lewandowski in the box. Lewandowski finished calmly from close range in the 90th minute. The late double strike settled the derby beyond doubt.
Barcelona continue to dominate late phases of matches this season. They have now scored 12 goals in the final 15 minutes. No other La Liga team matches that total. The statistic highlights their physical strength and mental edge.
High tempo start and goalkeeping resilience
Espanyol began the Catalan derby with aggression and belief. They pressed early and disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm. Tyrhys Dolan tested the defense after four minutes. A timely block prevented an early goal. The hosts sustained their intensity throughout the first half.
Joan Garcia played a crucial role for the visitors. The former Espanyol goalkeeper made several vital saves. He left the club last summer after nine years. His performance silenced the home supporters. Barcelona relied on his composure under pressure.
Marko Dmitrovic later replaced Garcia and stayed alert. He denied Eric Garcia from close range in the 72nd minute. The save preserved parity at a critical stage. A draw appeared increasingly likely before Barcelona’s late push.
Rivals chase as gap grows
Real Madrid remain second in the standings. They can reduce the deficit on Sunday afternoon. A home victory against Real Betis would cut the gap to four points. Pressure at the top continues to build.
Espanyol extended their long wait for a league derby win. Their last victory over Barcelona came in 2009. They remain in fifth place after a disciplined display. Barcelona move on with momentum and a growing advantage.
