Barcelona are now just one step away from lifting the La Liga title after grinding out a 2-1 win over Osasuna, but apart from the result, the night in Pamplona had its own storylines that say a lot about the mood inside the squad.
With three matches left, Barcelona sit comfortably at the top of the table with 88 points, holding a strong lead over Real Madrid.
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The equation is simple now – if Real Madrid fail to win their next game against Espanyol, the title will officially be heading back to Camp Nou.
The match itself was tight for long spells, but Barcelona found their breakthrough late on.
In the 81st minute, Marcus Rashford delivered a precise cross from the right, and Robert Lewandowski timed his run perfectly to head home.
Just five minutes later, the game was effectively wrapped up. Fermin Lopez played a clever pass through the defence, allowing Ferran Torres to break free and finish calmly past the goalkeeper.
It was a quick one-two punch that turned a tense game into a decisive result.
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On the night when Barcelona strikers were on the scoresheet, there were a few incidents that you might have missed. Here are three such events.
“Campeones” already ringing out
Even though the title is not mathematically secured yet, the feeling around the stadium suggested it is only a matter of time.
Barcelona supporters in the stands were already chanting “Campeones”, and the energy was clearly felt by the players on the pitch.
There was a sense that the job is almost done. Whether it comes via Madrid dropping points or in the upcoming Clasico, the belief inside the camp is growing stronger with every result.
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Rain rain go away
The matchday itself was far from smooth, as heavy rain caused problems throughout the evening, with conditions turning chaotic at times.
While the pitch held up well, the same could not be said for the away dugout.
Water leaks created an uncomfortable situation for the Barcelona staff, who were forced to improvise and deal with the issue mid-game.
It was an incident that brought a few chuckles, with even Hansi Flick seen reacting with a smile at the situation.
If there was one player who stood out despite not being on the pitch, it was Raphinha.
Back from injury but not involved in the match, the Brazilian could not hide his energy on the bench.
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As Barcelona took control of the game, his mood lifted, and he even found time for a light-hearted moment.
Wearing gloves in unusually cold conditions, he jokingly tapped the club doctor before pretending innocence, adding a bit of humour to an already emotional night.
For now, Barcelona have done their part, meaning all eyes shift to Real Madrid’s result. If things go their way, the title celebrations could begin sooner than expected.
Either way, this win felt like it called for a title celebration.
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