Barcelona claimed a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, delivering a composed performance in a match defined by patience and late execution. Playing away from home, FC Barcelona has to do hard grind in the centre to grab the points. Espanyol pressed aggressively and attempted to disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm, especially in the first half. Despite enjoying more possession, Barcelona initially struggled to convert control into clear chances, with Espanyol defending deep whenever possible.
The contest remained goalless deep into the second half, and increased the pressure. Barcelona, however, maintained discipline and continued to make openings rather than forcing risky plays. The breakthrough finally arrived in the closing stages when Dani Olmo found space in the box and finished clinically, giving Barcelona a crucial lead late in the game.
ALSO READ | From shutdown fears to a last-minute rescue, ISL begins its uncertain road back
Espanyol responded by committing more players forward, leaving gaps at the back. Barcelona exploited this in stoppage time, with Robert Lewandowski calmly converting to goal to seal the result.
La Liga table after 18th match day
The La Liga 2025–26 standings show FC Barcelona’s control at the top of the table. Barcelona lead with 49 points from 19 matches, leading the chart with an impressive +33 goal difference, underlining their dominance midway through the season. Real Madrid sit second on 42 points,trailing by seven points, while Villarreal occupy third place with 38 points, staying in touch with the title race.
ALSO READ | Gabon government suspends national football team after disastrous AFCON 2025 campaign
The battle for European spots remains tight, with Atlético Madrid close behind in fourth. Mid-table sees clubs like Espanyol, Real Betis and Celta Vigo fighting for consistency. At the bottom, Girona, Real Oviedo and Levante are currently in the relegation zone, already under pressure to turn results as the season progresses.
