Barcelona Strike Late Again to Extend Lead at Liga Summit

Barcelona, 4 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Barcelona cemented their position at the top of the Spanish La Liga with a classic late show, scoring twice in the final four minutes to defeat a stubborn Espanyol 2-0 in a hard-fought Catalan derby.

The victory, orchestrated by the impactful substitute Fermín López, extends Barcelona's lead over second-place Real Madrid to seven points.

For over 85 minutes, Hansi Flick’s side were frustrated by a disciplined Espanyol defense and the inspired goalkeeping of former youth player Joan García. The 24-year-old, facing his old club, produced a series of vital saves to keep the scores level, including a crucial stop from Eric García in the 72nd minute.

Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Barcelona’s remarkable propensity for late goals surfaced once more. Entering the fray as a substitute, Fermín López became the catalyst, first slipping a pass to fellow substitute Dani Olmo, who curled an exquisite finish into the top corner in the 86th minute.

López was instrumental again in stoppage time, driving down the right before cutting the ball back for Robert Lewandowski to apply a simple yet decisive finish from close range. The goals marked Barcelona's 12th in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a league-leading tally that underscores their resilience.

While Espanyol competed vigorously, their wait for a league victory over their historic rivals extends further, with their last win dating back to 2009. Barcelona now turn their focus to maintaining their advantage, while Real Madrid can trim the deficit to four points with a home victory over Real Betis tonight.

--- Ends/Khalid