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Barcelona won their 29th La Liga title with 2-0 Clasico win Overcame Real Madrid’s bitter rivals to open up an unbeaten 14-point lead at the top of the table with three games remaining.
Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half on Sunday to help Hansi Flick’s side win back-to-back La Liga goals, ending Madrid’s slow season.
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It was only the second time that the La Liga result was tied directly with the Clasico result, as 36-year champions Real Madrid won their first title in 1932 after drawing with Barca.
Flick’s side were disappointed to be knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid in April, but were determined to celebrate in style.
“This title is very special to win at home against Madrid, now we have to enjoy it with the fans,” Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar.
“We have been the best team in Spain – yes (we also) want to win the Champions League, that’s the goal.
“Next year we will have another chance.”
Madrid came into the game in turmoil, with midfielder Fede Valverde suffering a head injury in training with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started.
Barça coach Flick received bad news before the game, his father passed away, but he took his place in the line-up regardless, managing his victory well.
The German opted for the fast-paced Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, at right-back in place of injured young star Lamine Yamal.
The Catalans, desperate to avoid defeat, came out with their eyes on the prize, racing to a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.
Rashford opened the scoring with a free-kick, whipping the ball into the left-hand corner from over 20 yards, on the right-hand side of the centre.
Torres doubled the chances of being in a lively Camp Nou, with a crowd of 62,000 enjoying the first Clasico back to back since the stadium reopened.
Dani Olmo produced a brilliant backheel to allow Torres into the box and past Thibaut Courtois.
Gonzalo Garcia, playing in place of injured Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, made a slow run in behind Barca’s superior defence.
Bolstered by coach Alvaro Arbeloa in the holding line, unlikely to be in charge next season, Madrid struggled to stop the bleeding.
Rashford could have added a third before the break, but he shot, Fermin Lopez unmarked and ready to finish.
Torres should have struck early in the second half but Courtois saved the Spaniard’s effort as he crossed.
Jude Bellingham put the ball in the Barcelona net but the goal was disallowed, while Joan Garcia blocked Vinicius Junior as Madrid threatened.
Barça fans threw beach balls around to mock the Brazilian for not fulfilling his Ballon d’Or ambitions, and changed the mood.
Courtois was saved from substitute Raphinha, back from injury, by Robert Lewandowski as Madrid saw out the rest of the game without further damage.
Flick’s side will remain on course to equal the record 100 points in the league and can win all their home games if they beat Real Betis in their remaining one.
The Barcelona boss told La Liga TV that he “will never forget this day” after the game.
“It was a difficult day to start – my father died. But my team is successful. It’s like a family,” said Flick.
“They gave everything today. I’m proud of the fans. It’s amazing (to win) in this stadium and in El Clasico against Real Madrid to win La Liga.
“It was not easy. Everyone thought we could win this, but Real are a very good team. We played very well and scored goals at the right time.”
Madrid, meanwhile, have finished the second season in a row without a major draw, and are looking at the barrel of a summer transfer, with former coach Jose Mourinho being linked with a return.
Arbeloa praised Barcelona and said his team “will learn from what happened this season and work hard” in comments to reporters after the match.
“I feel a great responsibility now, knowing that our season is over today. The one thing we can’t do is give up, no,” he said.
“There are three matches left to win. Here, we are defending something bigger than all of us and bigger than our pride; it is the Real Madrid team and millions of fans.”
