Barcelona secured their second straight Spanish league title on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in a highly anticipated El Clasico. The win sparked celebrations across the Catalan capital.
Thousands of fans, draped in club flags and face paint, gathered at Plaza Catalunya under the glow of flares. Among them was Max Dour, 50, a season ticket holder, who brought his 14-year-old son to celebrate. “I promised my son if we won, we’d go to Canaletas,” he said, though the traditional fountain was closed for renovations.
Dour praised the team’s consistency: “Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid only seemed to play for certain games.” The victory was especially sweet given Real’s lackluster performance.
Fans traveled from around the world for the match. Vance Sterling flew from Missouri, USA, saving up for $2,000 tickets. “It’s been a marvelous experience. Winning La Liga by beating Real Madrid in this stadium – how could you beat it?” he said.
However, some supporters felt muted joy. Adrian Fabregat, another season ticket holder, said: “It’s great, but it hasn’t been as emotional as last year. We may have been too obsessed with the Champions League.”
Coach Hansi Flick has now won three major titles in two years, including the Copa del Rey in 2025. Meanwhile, Real Madrid finished a second successive season without major silverware, having fired Xabi Alonso mid-season and expected to oust Alvaro Arbeloa.
Spanish football expert Graham Hunter argued the title doesn’t make for a “good season.” “Barcelona have gone backwards. They conceded in every Champions League game and were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Atletico Madrid,” he told Al Jazeera.
Hunter singled out Lamine Yamal and Joan García as standout performers. “Yamal has been outstanding, often carrying the team. García played blindingly well in goal,” he added.
Journalist Alberto Martínez of La Vanguardia said: “Barcelona’s continuity, with the manager and players, was key to their victory.” He noted that Real’s crisis provided an opportunity that Barcelona seized.
Source: www.aljazeera.com