Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
A delightful Marcus Rashford free-kick helped Barcelona secure the La Liga title with a famous victory that inflicts further pain on troubled Real Madrid.
Rashford, vying for an England World Cup place and a potential permanent switch to Barcelona this summer, may have timed this starring performance impeccably.
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A standout performance from the winger left Hansi Flick’s side strolling towards the championship, having only needed a point against an ordinary-looking Real side for whom life goes from bad to worse.
A horror 2025-26 has already seen Madrid lose a coach in Xabi Alonso, crash out of the cups and descend into behind-the-scenes scandals and bust-ups.
The Catalans, in contrast, have been scintillating domestically for much of this season. This wasn’t quite the occasion of the Paris St-Germain vs Bayern Munich Champions League epic. But Barcelona’s attacking play of the first half was another marvel of attacking intent that might have prompted envious eyes from the more stifled play in the Premier League of late.
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Barcelona came out of the blocks at breakneck speed. Rashford’s free-kick arrived in the ninth minute – his eighth goal this season – after a clumsy foul 20 yards out. The Englishman took his most important goal for the Catalan giants beautifully. His right-footed free kick whipped into the top left corner beyond the touch of a fingertip from Thibaut Courtois, who has as much right as anyone to lay claim to being the best goalkeeper in the world.
A fully-outstretched Thibaut Courtois can only watch on as Rashford’s free-kick sails into the top left corner – Albert Gea/Reuters
A clearly impressed Lamine Yamal, who probably would have been in line to take right-sided set piece, led celebrations from the sidelines. Other famous faces cheering Rashford on was the singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, whose logo appeared on Barcelona’s shirt.
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The free-flowing attacking play from the champions-elect was then quickly rewarded again with a cleverly-worked effort from Ferran Torres, who finishing immaculately past Courtois after neat link up with Dani Olmo.
Barca’s wide-open attacking play always gives their opponents chances, however, but, the hosts – and in particularly Rashford, who came inches away from doubling his tally after bursting through – were largely dominant throughout.
Rashford was brought off midway through the second half. Real’s goal threat improved. Play paused while Jude Bellingham received treatment for a cut after an arm struck his face during a 50-50 challenge. But the game’s buccaneering attacking play significantly slowed as the game wore on. The shouts of “Ole Ole” went up as Barcelona retained possession and, then as the final whistle blew, delirium unfolded.
10:18pm
Will anyone be able to stop Barcelona in La Liga next season?
Back-to-back league titles – Joan Monfort/AP
10:15pm
Flick leads Barcelona to consecutive league titles
10:13pm
The moment Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions
10:10pm
Trophy time
This is the perfect night for Barcelona; they have sealed the title tonight and not only that but they are also able to lift the trophy in front of their biggest foes, not that the Real players have stayed to watch this! The Barcelona players, as well as boss Hansi Flick, each individually receive a small trophy before their captain Ronald Araujo is given the main trophy to lift in front of their own fans at Camp Nou. Back-to-back league titles now for Barcelona.
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The perfect night for Barcelona – David Ramos/Getty Images
10:08pm
What next for Real?
It has been a miserable season for the men from Madrid, on and off the field. Chaos is probably quite an apt word to describe it. There will be plenty of questions asked in the coming weeks and months, with Alvaro Arbeloa almost certain not to be in charge next season. Could it be Jose Mourinho at the helm next season? The club is a mess right now and there is plenty to sort out over the summer.
A very disappointing season for Real Madrid – Joan Mateu Parra/AP
10:05pm
Emotional night
It had been announced earlier today that Hansi Flick’s father had died and the day ends with his side winning the league. There will be plenty of emotions racing through Flick at the moment.
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Barcelona throw their boss Hansi Flick into the air to celebrate their La Liga victory – David Ramos/Getty Images
10:03pm
FT stats
Possession: Barcelona 57%-43% Real Madrid
Shots: 10-8
Shots on target: 7-1
Corners: 4-8
Touches in opposition box: 21-22
Barcelona able to celebrate in front of their own fans – Albert Gea/Reuters
10:01pm
How it stands
With three games remaining, Barcelona now have an unassailable 14-point lead at the top. Hansi Flick’s side fell short in the Champions League and Copa del Rey this season but they are not to be denied in La Liga.
09:56pm Key moments
Barcelona are La Liga champions
There will be no added time and Barcelona are crowned La Liga champions. They have sealed back-to-back league titles with a 2-0 win over their biggest rivals courtesy of goals from Rashford and Torres. It is an emotional night for their boos Hansi Flick in light of his father’s death.
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Real Madrid’s miserable season is coming towards a close and they cannot deny Barcelona any longer. Plenty of questions will be asked of Real in the coming weeks or months. Could it even be Jose Mourinho to lead Real’s response to back-to-back Barcelona titles next season?
09:53pm
87 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Chants of “Campiones, Campiones, Ole Ole Ole!” ring around the Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s final change of the night sees Balde replace F Lopez.
09:50pm
84 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Lewandowski now has a good chance to get Barcelona’s third but his shot is straight at Courtois. Once again, it came from a ball in behind to de Jong, who laid it off to Lewandowski.
09:48pm
82 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Raphinha, moments after his yellow card, has a chance to well and truly seal the three points but his shot from inside the box is saved by Courtois.
09:47pm
81 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
It has kicked off again, with Alexander-Arnold shoving Raphinha to the ground and is booked. It was a theatrical dive from Raphinha, who should not have gone down like a sack of potatoes because it was not that hard a push. Raphinha is also booked for his part.
09:44pm
78 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Real have now made a double change as Mastantuono and Palacios enter the fray.
09:42pm
76 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Double change for Barcelona as Lewandowski and Bernal come on for Torres and Gavi.
09:40pm
74 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Real win a corner out on the left and they have not given up hope of getting something from this game, even if a win looks beyond them. Alexander-Arnold clips it in to the near post, where Tchouameni wins the initial header but then it comes off Raphinha and goes behind for another corner. Barcelona eventually deal with the next corner.
09:36pm
70 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
First change of the night for Real sees Pitarch come on for Camavinga, who was on a booking.
09:34pm
68 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Even though Real have to score three times to deny Barcelona the title tonight, there is a little bit of nervousness inside the Camp Nou right now. Perhaps because they know that Real could have scored a couple if they had been more clinical.
09:30pm
65 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Vinicius Jr is played in behind and the Brazilian tries to lift his shot over the head of J Garcia on the left side of the box but the Barcelona keeper gets a hand to it. Real have created chances tonight but lacked that cutting edge.
09:29pm
64 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Double change for Barcelona as Raphinha and de Jong replace Rashford and Olmo.
09:29pm Key moments
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62 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham puts the ball into the Barcelona net but the offside flag has gone up. Barcelona head a corner out of their box and the defensive line tries to move out of their box. A cross is then clipped back into the penalty area to pick out Bellingham, who takes a touch before slotting home. However, the replays show he was clearly offside. He needed to work harder to get himself onside.
Nearly a goal back for Real – Nacho Doce/Reuters
09:22pm Key moments
56 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Courtois denied Rashford in a one-on-one chance in the first half and he now denies Torres in similar fashion. Once more, there is space in behind the Real defence and the run of Torres is found but he is denied by a smart save from Courtois.
09:21pm
55 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham has been booked for not following protocol as to when to return to the pitch.
09:19pm
53 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
There is real concern here for Bellingham and the medics are on quickly. Bellingham went down inside the Barcelona penalty area and stayed down, not really moving. Play goes on for a bit before a few players alert the referee to the stricken Bellingham. It was a stray elbow from E Garcia into Bellingham’s face but not deliberate. Bellingham is now back to his feet but needs some treatment to his upper lip.
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Jude Bellingham took a blow to the face – Albert Gea/Reuters
09:17pm
51 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
That is so stupid from Asencio and then it all kicks off. Asencio commits a foul inside the Barcelona half and then stupidly kicks the ball into the net. It is a clear-cut yellow card and then there is plenty of pushing and shoving. Olmo is booked for his part in the small brawl.
Tempers boiling over – Albert Gea/Reuters
09:13pm
48 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
With quite a lengthy injury list, there is not a plethora of options on the Real bench, especially in attacking areas. Whereas the Barcelona bench has the likes of Lewandowski and Raphinha on it.
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Rashford sends a cross in from the right into a dangerous area but Courtois pushes the ball away.
09:10pm
Second half
We are back under way at Camp Nou, with Barcelona just 45 minutes away from consecutive La Liga titles. The hosts were out promptly, with a two-goal lead in the bag, but the visitors took a while to re-emerge. Real not exactly buzzing to get back out there and there was no real urgency from the visitors.
09:03pm
Closing in
As it stands, this is what the top two would look like if Barcelona win this game:
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With just three games left, Barcelona’s lead would be unassailable. All Barcelona actually need is a point tonight to seal the title. If they seal the league this evening, it is expected that they will lift the trophy in front of their biggest rivals.
09:01pm
Great view of Rashford’s free-kick
Marcus Rashford got Barcelona up and running tonight – Albert Gea/Reuters
08:59pm
US singer Olivia Rodrigo in attendance
Olivia Rodrigo – Alex Caparros/Getty Images
08:57pm
HT stats
Possession: Barcelona 55%-45% Real Madrid
Shots: 4-6
Shots on target: 3-1
Corners: 1-4
Touches in opposition box: 10-14
08:52pm
Half-time
An exciting first half is brought to a close and Barcelona lead 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Rashford and Torres. Real have not played too poorly but they have not been clinical when their chances have come whereas Barcelona have been. Barcelona are just 45 minutes away from back-to-back La Liga titles.
08:49pm
45 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
There will be three added minutes at the end of this enthralling first half.
08:47pm
42 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Both defensive lines are leaving plenty of space in behind and the ball over the top is on pretty much every time. Barcelona have had great joy down both flanks but Real have also got in behind on a few occasions. There is no conservatism from either side on show tonight.
08:44pm
40 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
The first booking of the game goes the way of the visitors as Camavinga catches Olmo late. It was a foul but the timing was only just off and it feels slightly harsh to give a yellow card for that.
08:43pm Key moments
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38 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
A huge chance for Rashford to get his second and Barcelona’s third. Rashford makes the run in behind and is found. He drives into the Real box and has a one-on-one chance but the fingertips of Courtois mean the shot goes just wide of the far post. Those fingertips were probably the difference there.
From the corner, Olmo also has a great chance to score Barcelona’s third but slices his effort wide. Chances galore in this first half.
08:37pm
32 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Vinicius Jr sucks a few Barcelona defenders to him on the left side of the box and he rolls a pass to the edge of the penalty area, where Tchouameni runs onto it and hits it first time. He opens up his foot to try and find the far corner but his effort goes wide.
08:34pm
30 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
Olmo should do so much better there but the offside flag has gone up anyway. He is played in down the right channel and should pick out Torres in the centre of the box with a simple ball but the cross is overhit. Olmo is then flagged for offside but the replays show that would have been a very close call had it gone in. He may well have been onside.
08:31pm
27 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
After both Barcelona goals, the initial response from Real has actually been quite decent. They have created chances but have failed to take advantage, whereas Barcelona have been clinical. It is an open game thus far.
08:29pm
23 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
A crucial interception from E Garcia. Bellingham makes a run into the right channel and is picked out. On the right side of the box, he spots Vinicius Jr in space at the back post and lays the ball across the penalty area. Just before it reaches Vinicius Jr, E Garcia slides in with a crucial interception.
08:27pm
22 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
That is a huge chance for Gonzalo to score. A ball is played in behind the Barcelona defence and Gonzalo gets on the end of it. He has a one-on-one chance inside the Barcelona box after a good first touch with his chest but he finds the side netting with his shot. He had a couple of Barcelona defenders harrying him but he should have buried that chance.
08:25pm
21 mins: Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
In the closing stages of a pretty horrible season for Real, what is their character like? If they are not careful and do not dig deep, this could get very ugly for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side.
08:22pm Key moments • Goals • Video
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GOAL! Torres doubles Barcelona’s advantage
A fantastic goal to take the home side another step closer to the title. A ball is clipped forward into the Real box to pick out the run of Olmo who, from the penalty spot, flicks it first time into the path of Torres, who takes one touch before slotting home from the penalty spot. Courtois got his fingertips to it but could not prevent the ball from going into the back of the net. It is a real party atmosphere inside Camp Nou. Real now need to score at least three goals to deny Barcelona winning the league tonight.
08:20pm
16 mins: Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0
We thought Rashford and Alexander-Arnold would directly go head-to-head tonight but the former is starting on the right for Barcelona tonight with F Lopez out on the left up against Alexander-Arnold. It will be interesting to see what decision Manchester United make on Rashford this summer as they have a different manager now to the one when Rashford joined Barcelona on loan last summer. Barcelona do have an option to sign Rashford permanently but they may not exercise that.
08:17pm
12 mins: Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0
Real have a corner out on the left, which Alexander-Arnold takes. It is flicked on at the near post and the final touch is off Barcelona so it will be another corner on the other side. Alexander-Arnold pops over to take on this side and Real then win another corner. A period of pressure for Barcelona to have to deal with. The third corner is succession is met by Tchouameni, who has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, but his header is a way off target.
08:13pm Key moments • Goals • Video
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GOAL! Rashford’s stunning free-kick puts Barcelona in front
What a stunning finish from the Englishman. Rashford picks out the top corner, beating Courtois at his near post. Courtois might have thought for a moment that Rashford was going to go over the ball but the finish from the Englishman is sublime. Barcelona take another big step towards the title.
08:12pm
8 mins: Barcelona 0 Real Madrid 0
Torres is brought down just outside the Real box by Rudiger and Barcelona have a free-kick in a dangerous area. Rudiger was fortunate there as that foul was only just outside the penalty area and it was a clear foul. VAR does quickly check that it was outside the box and it just about was but not by much.
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Rashford to take…
08:09pm
5 mins: Barcelona 0 Real Madrid 0
That was a good chance for Barcelona. Lopez spins Alexander-Arnold on halfway and runs in behind to meet the ball forward. He drives into the Real box and unselfishly tries to pick out Rashford at the far post but crucially for Real it is intercepted by Garcia before it could reach Rashford. Lopez did Alexander-Arnold like a kipper there.
08:07pm
2 mins: Barcelona 0 Real Madrid 0
Real make their first forward. Diaz drives into the Barcelona half and spots Vinicius Jr in space to his left. He plays it to the Brazilian, who drives into the Barcelona box and cuts inside onto his right before shooting but the contact on the effort is poor and the ball slowly rolls into the hands of Garcia.
08:04pm
Kick-off
Before the game gets going, we pause for a minute’s silence to pay tribute to the father of Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, who has died in the last 24 hours. Flick understandably is very emotional.
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We then get under way at Camp Nou. Can Barcelona seal back-to-back titles or can Real delay the title party?
An emotional time personally for Hansi Flick – Joan Mateu Parra/AP
08:00pm
Nearly ready for action
The Barcelona fans are expectant, knowing back-to-back titles will be secured tonight if they avoid defeat. Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Camp Nou.
Real have been forced into a late change during the warm-ups as Asencio has replaced Huijsen at centre-back.
07:56pm
The two starting XIs tonight
Barcelona: J Garcia, E Garcia, Cubarsi, G Martin, Cancelo, Pedri, Gavi, Rashford, Olmo, F Lopez, Torres.
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Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Asencio, Garcia, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Camavinga, Diaz, Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo.
07:54pm
English head-to-head
Trent Alexander-Arnold will come up directly against Marcus Rashford, with both players pushing for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold starts for Real this evening – Alex Caparros/Getty Images
07:51pm
Vinicius Jnr captains the visitors
The Brazilian caused plenty of drama in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu earlier in the season. Real did win that game 2-1 but Vinicius caused one hell of a scene when he was taken off. How things have changed since that game; Real were five points clear at the top after that win but the season has unravelled for Ral ever since, with Xabi Alonso losing his job and Real falling a way off the pace.
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In the absence of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior’s importance to Real is even higher – Nacho Doce/Reuters
07:48pm
No Yamal
Barcelona are currently without the services of star forward Lamine Yamal, who is out with a hamstring injury. Spain will be hoping he will be fully recovered by the start of the World Cup, which is the expectation, but you never know with hamstring injuries.
Lamine Yamal is out injured – David Ramos/Getty Images
07:44pm
The ultimate joy for Barcelona?
The hosts need just the one point tonight to guarantee back-to-back titles but that might not be quite where the joy ends. If they do seal the title tonight, they are expected to lift the trophy in front of their biggest rivals.
07:42pm
What of Rashford’s future?
Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona this season from Manchester United but his future next season is up in the air. He has 12 goals and 10 assists to his name in La Liga and the Champions League this season but will he still be at Camp Nou next season? Could he even come back and stay at Manchester United?
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Marcus Rashford starts for the hosts tonight – David Ramos/Getty Images
07:38pm
Sam Wallace: Real have piled up huge debts but that will not stop Mourinho wading in
José Mourinho has taken command of a few listing vessels during his management career, although the 2026 Real Madrid is a very different proposition. Just as the club’s successes tend to be epic, so their crises play out on the same scale.
Of course, Mourinho likes a challenge – addicted as he is to the job. If it is to be Real, then his job is very different second time around. As for the recent training-ground fighting – that sort of thing is relatively simple to sort out. Someone leaves, someone stays. The conflagration over two days involving Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni is not going to define Real, however entertaining the squabbling might be ahead of Sunday night’s Clásico. The bigger problems for Mourinho – for whoever manages Real – is how the club’s place in the modern order of things is changing.
07:33pm
Jordi Alba back at Camp Nou
07:29pm
The drama at Real this week
Real Madrid fined Federico Valverde ⁠and Aurélien Tchouaméni €500,000 (£432,000) each on Friday after a training-ground fight left the former with a head ​injury.
The sanctions deepened the sense of crisis at a club facing a second successive trophyless season, with a clash against rivals Barcelona looming on Sunday.
The incident, which club sources said took place at Real’s Valdebebas training base on Thursday, ended with vice-captain Valverde, a Uruguayan international, being taken to hospital with a cut head before he was later discharged.
Barcelona fans taking joy in the drama at Real Madrid – David Ramos/Getty Images
07:22pm
Visitors arriving
07:17pm
Real Madrid’s last five results
May 3: Espanyol 0 Real Madrid 2 (La Liga)
April 24: Real Betis 1 Real Madrid 1 (La Liga)
April 21: Real Madrid 2 Alaves 1 (La Liga)
April 15: Bayern Munich 4 Real Madrid 3 (Champions League)
April 10: Real Madrid 1 Girona 1 (La Liga)
07:13pm
Barcelona’s last five results
May 2: Osasuna 1 Barcelona 2 (La Liga)
April 25: Getafe 0 Barcelona 2 (La Liga)
April 22: Barcelona 1 Celta Vigo 0 (La Liga)
April 14: Atlético Madrid 1 Barcelona 2 (Champions League)
April 11: Barcelona 4 Espanyol 1 (La Liga)
07:07pm
How the top two looks
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The equation is simple for Barcelona tonight; avoid defeat and they win the league.
07:01pm
Record in this fixture
06:53pm
Hosts in the house
06:45pm Key moments
Real Madrid team
06:44pm Key moments
Barcelona team
06:42pm Key moments
On the verge of the title
Barcelona could be crowned La Liga champions tonight as they host Real Madrid in El Clasico. With just four games to go, Barcelona currently hold an 11-point lead at the top and need just a point to claim a second La Liga title in succession.
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Barcelona come into tonight’s game having won 10 straight in the league as they close in on the title but they have seen their Champions League and Copa del Rey hopes go up in smoke over the last couple of months. There will be a minute’s silence ahead of the game to pay tribute to Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s father, who has died. Flick will still take charge of this game and the players will wear black armbands. The hosts are without Lamine Yamal, who is out for the season with a hamstring injury.
The build-up to El Clasico from Real Madrid’s point of view has been dominated by chaos in their own camp. Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde have been fined following a dressing room row to add yet more drama to their season.
“My players recognised their mistake, expressed their remorse and asked for forgiveness,” Real boss Alvaro Arbeloa said. “That is enough for me. What I am not going to do is burn them on a pyre in a town square, because they do not deserve that. It is time to turn the page. I had a teammate that hit another with a golf club. Situations like this have always happened, but I am not justifying them.
“It is clear that frustration and anger can lead to situations we do not want, but we have to channel that frustration and anger into playing a great game tomorrow [tonight]. That is where we need to focus our energy. I am responsible for everything that happens at Real Madrid, and if you want to point the finger at someone, here I am. For me, the most serious thing, and what hurts me the most, is that what happens in the Real Madrid dressing room should stay in the Real Madrid dressing room.
“These are situations that do not represent Real Madrid because they should not happen, but of course I have experienced worse. In the end, we had the bad luck that it ended with Fede suffering a cut. The club handled the matter very well, and the players have accepted the consequences and apologised. From now on, I am only thinking about tomorrow’s [tonight] match.”
Kylian Mbappe is out of tonight’s game after picking up an hamstring injury in their win over Real Betis a few weeks ago. Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Arda Guler and Ferland Merdy will also miss out for the visitors.
When these sides met in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu back in October, the Xabi Alonso-led Real ran out 2-1 winners. The game ended in chaos, with Pedri sent off just before the final whistle, which led to a scuffle between both dugouts. That win did put Real five points clear at the top at the time but things have dramatically changed since then.
Team news to follow shortly.
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