Barcelona welcomed Catalan rivals Espanyol to Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon knowing that a win could see them lift the La Liga title once again with one game to spare.
At the half-time break, the home side led 1-0 courtesy of an eighth-minute free kick from Lionel Messi.
The Catalan side then made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute through Luis Suarez, before the Uruguay international scored his second just past the hour.
Rafinha and Neymar then made it four and five for Barcelona, but the league leaders will have to wait until next weekend to determine whether they are crowned champions.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Espanyol in the Catalan derby. Matches between these two teams are always important, but this afternoon is all about the points on offer. Barcelona must win as Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid chase them down at the summit, while Espanyol are not quite safe from the drop. It could be a defining afternoon!
My focus this afternoon will be on Barcelona against Espanyol at Camp Nou, but I shall be keeping you up-to-speed with matters elsewhere as second-place Atletico Madrid visit basement side Levante and Real Madrid welcome Valencia. Table-toppers Barcelona can actually win the title this afternoon, but they would have to collect all the points and hope that both Atletico and Real Madrid lose.
Espanyol would absolutely love to harm Barcelona's title hopes this afternoon, but they are currently on a 13-game winless run against their Catalan rivals and have lost 10 of those matches. Espanyol have actually lost their last six games at Camp Nou and have only managed to score one goal!
It is pretty simple for Barcelona. Win this afternoon and away to Granada next weekend and they will lift the Spanish title once again. Six points would see them finish top regardless of what second-place Atletico and third-place Real Madrid manage in their final two matches due to their superior head-to-head record, but you just get the feeling that there could be one more twist in the race!
When Barcelona beat Getafe 6-0 on March 12, they were 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. That 11-point gap was over second-place Atletico, while Real Madrid were 15 points behind in third. It looked over and it should have been over, but Barcelona wobbled between March 20 and April 17 to throw the race wide open. In truth, the title should have been sewn up before it got to this point!
A 2-2 draw at Villarreal on March 20 was far from disastrous, but Barcelona then lost three straight league matches to Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Valencia. Atletico and Real Madrid both gained serious ground during that period, but Luis Enrique's side have managed to overcome a difficult spell.
In fact, since losing 2-1 at home to Valencia on April 17, Barcelona have not conceded a single league goal. They thumped Deportivo La Coruna 8-0 away from home, before recording a 6-0 victory over Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou. Last weekend's 2-0 success at Real Betis made sure that the title remained in their hands at this stage. The team news should land in around 10 minutes here.
As mentioned, Barcelona just have to win their next two games and they will retain the title. There will be no Champions League final, however, after losing out to Atletico in the quarter-finals of that competition. Atletico will actually take on Real Madrid in the 2016 Champions League final on May 28, which has to hurt Barcelona. They will, however, face Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final later this month.
Barcelona's La Liga record this season reads won 27, drawn four and lost five. They have scored 104 goals and conceded 29, but neither of those are the best records in the league. Real Madrid are the top scorers on 105 goals, while Atletico have only shipped 16 goals in their 36 league games, which is just sensational. It promises to be a pulsating conclusion to the title race in Spain's top flight.
Luis Suarez currently leads the La Liga scoring charts and it does appear that the striker will finish top of that list. The Uruguay international has hit 35 league goals this season – four more than a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently nursing a thigh problem and might not start this afternoon. Lionel Messi is then third in the list with 25 goals, which is actually pretty poor by his own standards!
Neymar, meanwhile, has struck 23 La Liga goals this season, but the Brazilian has faced some criticism in recent weeks for a drop in form. Indeed, Suarez, Messi and Neymar were all criticised during Barcelona's poor run, but the trio have been back among the goals in recent weeks and will be confident of getting their team over the line in the next two matches. Right, team news...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Raktic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ESP: To follow...
So there we have it. Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has made just one change to his XI and it is enforced as Claudio Bravo misses out with a calf problem. German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen comes into the team, but Dani Alves and Jordi Alba continue in the two full-back positions. No surprises further forward as Messi, Neymar and Suarez all keep their spots in the final third.
This is how Real Madrid line up this afternoon...
Interesting team news from Atletico. Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann both start on the bench. Angel Correa and Stefan Savic are both given spots in the XI this afternoon. Full XI here...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Raktic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ESP: Pau; J Lopez, Roco, Duarte, Alvarez; Sanchez, Canas, Diop; Perez, Caicedo, Asensio
We have confirmed team news from Espanyol! Jose Canas comes into the XI after returning from a long lay-off against Sevilla last weekend, while on-loan Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio starts in the final third. Felipe Caicedo is also included, alongside Hernan Perez in what is a 4-3-3 formation.
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now little under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Barcelona. Should Barcelona find the back of the net here, they would have scored in all of their home games in a La Liga campaign for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
Both leaders Barcelona and third-place Real Madrid have taken 46 points from their 18 home league games this season – boasting identical records of 15 wins, one draw and two defeats. Barcelona have struck 62 league goals on home soil and have actually already beaten Espanyol at Camp Nou this season – a 4-1 victory in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey back in January.
As mentioned, there will be no Champions League title for Barcelona this season, but they will face Sevilla in the final of the Copa del Rey on March 22 and a domestic double would still go down as a successful campaign for Enrique's side. The pressure from the capital is not easing, however, and it appears that Barcelona are going to have to win the title the hard way this season.
Barcelona won last season's La Liga on 94 points – finishing two points clear of second-place Real Madrid. Barcelona can only reach 91 this time around, but they are facing pressure from both the Bernabeu and the Vicente Calderon. Just a reminder that I shall keep you updated with developments at the summit. Atletico are in action away at Levante and Real Madrid at home to Valencia.
For all the Espanyol fans, it is your turn! Much of the focus will be on Barcelona this afternoon, but Constantin Galca's side are not quite safe from the drop this season, which is very disappointing for a club that finished 10th in the 2014-15 campaign. It has been a difficult season for the Catalan outfit.
A total of 40 points from 36 matches has left them in 14th position in the table – five points clear of the relegation zone. They have won 11 times in the league, but 18 defeats represents a disappointing campaign. Relegation is very, very unlikely at this stage due to the number of teams involved, but they have something to play for this afternoon, which is good news for the neutral fan.
Espanyol will enter the match off the back of a very important 1-0 win over Sevilla last weekend, but they have lost three of their last five in the league, including a heavy 4-0 defeat at Las Palmas in their last away game. That said, it is worth nothing that Espanyol held Barcelona to a goalless draw when the two sides met in the corresponding league match earlier this season.
The White and Blues have really struggled for goals this season, only managing 36 in their 36 league matches. Felipe Caicedo is their top scorer with eight, while Hernan Perez has seven. It is a squad full of quality and it would be fair to say that they have underachieved this season. That said, the fans would take a poor campaign if they could harm Barcelona's title hopes here!
WEEK 37 LA LIGA FIXTURE LIST:
Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid vs. Valencia
Villarreal vs. Deportivo
Getafe vs. Sporting Gijon
Eibar vs. Real Betis
Barcelona vs. Espanyol
Sevilla vs. Granada
Las Palmas vs. Athletic Bilbao
Celta Vigo vs. Malaga
Levante vs. Atletico
PREDICTION! I have to back Barcelona this afternoon. Espanyol will be fired-up for the contest, but I am finding it very difficult to back against the home side. That said, I also expect Real Madrid and Atletico to both win so for me, there will be no La Liga title for Barcelona this afternoon!
Just a reminder of the two teams for this afternoon's match...
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Raktic; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ESP: Pau; J Lopez, Roco, Duarte, Alvarez; Sanchez, Canas, Diop; Perez, Caicedo, Asensio
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! Here, my focus is on Barcelona against Espanyol, but I shall also keep you up-to-speed with any goals that go in in Atletico and Real Madrid's respective matches. It is Barcelona against Espanyol in the Catalan derby and the away side kick us off at Camp Nou...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. Neymar has already dragged Javi Lopez into a wide position and the space for Suarez is there, even this early. Pau Lopez is out to collect a high ball as Barcelona start on the front foot here.
UPDATE! Levante 0-1 Atletico (Fernando Torres, 2 min)
So, Atletico are top of the table as things stand! It is very, very early in the day, however, and Barcelona are firmly on the front foot at the moment. Espanyol are already extremely deep here.
Mascherano is in trouble here after taking a high challenge from Perez. It was not great from the Espanyol attacker and the Argentine limps off the field. Should have been a certain red card!
It would not be a surprise if we saw a red card in this match as the challenges continue to arrive. Perez's tackle on Mascherano was very poor indeed and Espanyol are doing their best to stop the play with a serious of heavy challenges. No chances thus far, but all Barcelona in terms of possession.
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Alvarez fells Messi...
... GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol (Messi)
Just wonderful! Barcelona take the lead in the eighth minute as Messi curls a free kick into the top corner. This place has just exploded and Barcelona are back on top as things stand in La Liga.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net for a second time as Messi's effort is turned home by Rakitic, but the offside flag was raised. The correct call!
BOOKING! Messi (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Alvarez.
This is getting very, very lively as the challenges continue to fly in and Barcelona continue to throw players forward in search of a second goal. Messi's wonderful free kick is the difference between the two teams, but Atletico are currently winning at Levante. All happening in La Liga at the moment!
Barcelona force another free kick in a dangerous position, but this time Messi's effort is over the crossbar. Nothing much for the Espanyol supporters to get excited about down the other end!
Real Madrid are still being held at home to Valencia, but there is still a lot of football to be played this afternoon. Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances at Camp Nou, but Barcelona are very much in control of the possession as they continue to pass and probe in the final third.
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Iniesta.
Messi has another free kick in a dangerous position...
... Neymar takes and the Brazilian's effort is too high.
Very bitty at the moment as Espanyol continue to commit fouls in the middle of the park. Diop needs to be careful as he has another niggle at Messi having just picked up a yellow card. Still goalless between Real Madrid and Valencia, while Atletico Madrid still lead 1-0 at Levante.
Super work from Neymar as the Brazilian shows wonderful control before setting a cross back to Suarez, it actually falls for Messi, but his effort trickles wide under pressure. It is still all Barcelona as they continue to search for a second goal, while Espanyol are struggling in the final third of the field.
A little better from Espanyol in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy a period of possession inside the Barcelona half, but they have still not worried Ter Stegen between the sticks here.
UPDATE! Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia (Cristiano Ronaldo, 26 min)
BOOKING! Perez (Espanyol) is booked for a tug on Iniesta.
So, Barcelona, Atletico and Real Madrid are all winning and as it stands, the title race would go to the final weekend and would include all three teams. Barcelona continue to keep the ball from Espanyol as they pass and probe in the final third. Messi's super free kick remains the difference here.
SAVE! Ter Stegen keeps out a close-range effort from Caicedo as Espanyol threaten for the first time this afternoon. They certainly have dangerous players in their XI here.
UPDATE! Levante 1-1 Atletico (Casadesus, 30 min)
Messi goes down inside the box under a challenge from Roco, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Big goal for Levante in Valencia, meanwhile.
All Barcelona at the moment as they continue to force the issue with a series of corners. The latest is delivered into the near post and Messi makes contact, but Roco is on hand to make the block.
BOOKING! Alvarez (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
It is like a game of free kicks at the moment as Espanyol continue to give away set pieces and Barcelona continue to threaten. Suarez looks to wriggle free inside the box, but Roco is across to make the clearance as Espanyol look to survive a second goal in the latter stages of the first period.
BOOKING! Canas (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
Good grief there is a lot of rough and tumble out there as Espanyol continue to fly into tackles!
UPDATE! Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia (Benzema, 43 min)
Real Madrid are doing their job at the Bernabeu, but Atletico are currently being held at Levante. Barcelona remain 1-0 ahead here courtesy of a wonderful free kick from Messi in the eighth minute.
Another Espanyol attack breaks down at the final moment as Caicedo loses out to Pique.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 courtesy of a Messi free kick in the eighth minute. In truth, the home side should be further ahead, but Rakitic had a goal ruled out for offside in the 10th minute and Neymar and Messi have both missed decent opportunities. Espanyol have not really carried much of a threat in the final third.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had seven attempts - three of which were on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their three attempts. Five yellow cards to report in the first period and four of those have gone to Espanyol.
UPDATE! Atletico are currently being held to a 1-1 draw at Levante, while Real Madrid are beating Valencia 2-0 at the Bernabeu. As it stands, Barcelona would lead second-place Real Madrid by one point entering the final weekend of the season. Still another 45 minutes to play though!
RESTART! Here we go - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Espanyol harm Barcelona's title hopes with an equaliser? It is the home side that resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
ESPANYOL SUB! Excuse me, news has just reached us! There has indeed been one change at the interval - Moreno replacing Caicedo for Espanyol. No changes for Barcelona at least!
Just a reminder that Barcelona could win the title this afternoon, but they would need Real Madrid to fail to beat Valencia and also for Atletico to lose against Levante. At the moment, neither of those results look likely it must be said. Espanyol are also still carrying a threat on the counter here.
Super defending from Diop as the Espanyol midfielder meets a dangerous free kick from Messi to prevent Suarez from having a free header at the far post. Still all Barcelona at Camp Nou here.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol (Suarez)
Barcelona score their second of the afternoon as Messi pokes the ball through to Suarez and the striker makes no mistake from inside the box. Lovely finish from Suarez and it is 2-0 here!
SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Pau Lopez as the Espanyol stopper comes out to confront Suarez after Messi had slipped another pass towards the striker. Espanyol under pressure here!
UPDATE! Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia (Rodrigo, 55 min)
Espanyol just cannot seem to keep the ball at the moment and Suarez is in the mood for more goals. Now then, Barcelona's chances of winning the title today have been boosted by a Valencia goal!
Now, a goal for Levante against Atletico and an equaliser for Valencia at Real Madrid would see Barcelona claim the title this afternoon. Still more than 30 minutes left in all three matches.
UPDATE! Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia (Ronaldo, 59 min)
Neymar has the chance to slide a pass through to Suarez as Barcelona up the tempo once again, but Roco just manages to stick out a leg and make the clearance. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has sent Real Madrid 3-1 ahead so Barcelona's chances of winning the title this afternoon are now slim.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Espanyol (Suarez)
It is three for Barcelona and two for Suarez as there striker heads a Rakitic corner into the back of the net. That is that in terms of the three points this afternoon. Barcelona will keep first spot!
Atletico are still BEING HELD away to Levante. They need a goal there!
ESPANYOL SUB! Correa replaces Perez in Espanyol's second change.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances as we approach the final 20 minutes here.
Rakitic fires a long-range strike over the crossbar as Barcelona threaten once again.
BOOKING! Correa (Espanyol) is booked for dissent.
BARCELONA SUB! Mathieu replaces Alba for the home side.
ESPANYOL SUB! Montanes replaces Canas for the away side.
BARCELONA SUBS! Rafinha and Turan replace Iniesta and Rakitic.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol (Rafinha)
Horror moment for Pau Lopez! The Espanyol goalkeeper simply fails to collect a loose ball inside the box and Rafinha has the simple task of placing the ball home for 4-0 Barcelona.
Barcelona just have to win at Granada next weekend and they will be crowned as champions. At the moment, Real Madrid will be their closest challengers next weekend courtesy of their 3-1 lead, as it stands, over Valencia. Atletico, however, are still being held to a 1-1 draw at basement side Levante.
Little over 10 minutes remaining here and all three scores are still the same.
UPDATE! Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia (Gomes, 81 min)
Barcelona are crying out for a Levante winner and Valencia equaliser. If that occurs, the Catalan outfit would win the title this afternoon. Still much to play for in the final 10 minutes here!
GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Espanyol (Neymar)
Too easy for Barcelona as Suarez picks out Neymar and the Brazilian has the simple task of scoring from close range. Espanyol have been very poor since they conceded the second goal here.
Messi just places a low strike wide of the post as Barcelona threaten a sixth goal here. Espanyol just have not been at the races in this second period and have taken a real hiding as a result.
Atletico are still being held at Levante and that result, as it stands, would see them drop to third ahead of the final weekend. Barcelona have done their job here and have kept it in their hands.
UPDATE! Levante 2-1 Atletico (Rossi, 90 min)
Oh my word! An equaliser for Valencia at Real Madrid would see Barca win the title!
We are into the second of two additional minutes at Camp Nou.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-0 Espanyol
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia
FULL-TIME: Levante 2-1 Atletico
So there we have it. Now just two teams in the title race as Atletico lose at Levante! Barcelona will go head-to-head with Real Madrid on the final weekend. Barcelona only have to win, but Real Madrid must hope for their rivals to drop points! Be sure to join us for next weekend's action. Until then!
