Barcelona –
Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan Derby. El Barca’s two goals came in the final minutes of the match through Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.
The Catalan Derby was presented at the RCDE Stadium when Espanyol hosted Barceona in the Spanish League match, Sunday (4/1/2026). The duel was fierce with both teams exchanging attacks.
However, the brilliance of the two goalkeepers, Marko Dimitrovic in the Espanyol camp and Joan Garcia in goal for Barcelona, meant that there were no opportunities to score a goal until the 85th minute.
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Dani Olmo broke the deadlock for Barcelona in the 86th minute. The visitors closed the match with a 2-0 win thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s goal in the 90th minute.
This victory makes El Barca firmly at the top of the standings with 49 points. They are seven points ahead of Real Madrid in second place. Espanyol is in fifth place after winning 33 points.
The Course of the Match
Espanyol took the initiative to attack at the start of the match. Roberto Fernandez threatened in the 19th minute.
He had the opportunity to open a shot from inside the penalty box. Joan Garcia was still ready to reduce the hosts’ chances.
Barcelona responded through action from Lamine Yamal. Yamal was able to get past one Espanyol defender with a twisting movement. The shot was from the right but went wide.
Garcia made a brilliant save in the 39th minute. He was able to parry a header from Pere Milla at the near post which met Carlos Romero’s cross.
No goals were scored in the first half, the score remained 0-0.
After the break, Barcelona almost broke the deadlock from Jules Kounde’s close-range header. His header was still saved by Marko Dimitrovic.
Garcia returned to action in the second half. He could still read the movements of Roberto Fernandez who was trying to pass him.
Garcia’s effort was once again blocked by Garcia in the 68th minute. Garcia’s low shot in front of goal was blocked by Garcia.
Dimitrovic’s turn to act. Confusion appeared in front of Espanyol’s goal in the 72nd minute.
Eric Garcia snatched a loose ball in front of the goal. Dimitrovic was still able to stretch his arm to block Eric Garcia’s close-range attempt.
Garcia is still busy under El Barca’s rule. He was able to fly to block Carlos Romero’s shot from the left side of the penalty box in the 76th minute.
Gol!!! The deadlock in this match was finally broken in the 86th minute. Fermin Lopez, who stabbed from the middle, gave the ball to Dani Olmo on the left side. Without control, Olmo put the ball into the left corner of the Espanyol goal. Dimitrovic couldn’t react much.
Gol!!! Fermin’s movement was unstoppable again until he entered the penalty box. His bait was met by Robert Lewandowski’s chip kick to beat Dimitrovic in the 90th minute.
Barcelona closed the match with a 2-0 win.
Lineup
Barcelona: John; Kounde, Cubrsin, Martin, Balde; Eric, Of Jong; Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford; Ferran
Espanyol: Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Urko, Lozano; Dolan, Exposito, Milla; Robert
(pur/nds)
