Author – Amrit Santlani
Barcelona finally got their hands on the La Liga title after a four-year hiatus when Xavi’s side confirmed their 27th league crown with a 4-2 win over Espanyol at the Cornella-El Prat.
The Catalans would have been crowned La Liga champions had Real Madrid not scored against Getafe, but Marco Asensio’s goal postponed the celebrations. However, Xavi’s side wouldn’t have to wait long and, from the looks of things, seemed to be in a hurry to clinch victory and the coveted La Liga trophy, which will return to the Camp Nou after a long wait.
Barça were already 3-0 up at half-time, without breaking a sweat, and Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 11th minute, tapping in from close range after being found expertly by Alejandro Balde.
The Spanish defender also got on the scoresheet afterwards, before Brazilian full-back Raphinha gave Lewandowski another goal from close range.
Jules Kounde scored a header to all but seal the points and the title before a mini resurgence from Espanyol, who scored twice through Javi Paudo and Joselu, but the goals turned out to be a mere consolation as Xavi and his team celebrated ecstatically after the final whistle.
In Italy, Juventus beat Cremonese and pushed the visitors to the brink of relegation with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Nicolo Fagioli and Gleison Bremer. The first half was a lacklustre affair, although Paul Pogba lasted just 23 minutes after his return from injury and was forced off in tears.
In the second half, Massimiliano Allegri’s pep talk at the break worked, and the hosts were clearly above their opponents.
Fagioli had been promoted from Cremonese, but he came back to haunt his former team with an incredible shot from the edge of the box just before the hour mark. Brazilian defender Bremer headed in from close range to double the lead and seal the three points that took Juventus to second place in the Serie A standings.