Barça pulls away 3 points from Real Madrid for the 1st time since matchday 13

Matchday 26 of LaLiga EA Sports allowed FC Barcelona to extend their lead in the standings over Real Madrid to three points. Hansi Flick's team took advantage of the defeat of the 'merengues' on Saturday against Betis (2-1) to pull away with a lead that the azulgrana team had not enjoyed since matchday 13. At least in relation to Carlo Ancelotti's team.

Barça did their homework against Real Sociedad (4-0), thus maintaining the lead in the tournament with one point above Atlético de Madrid. The 'colchoneros' struggled immensely to defeat Athletic Club at home (1-0), but they continue to breathe down the neck of the Catalans, now in second place. Madrid was the big loser of the matchday, as they are now third. 

Barça maintains the league lead with 12 matchdays to go

The last time Barcelona was 3 points ahead of the 'merengues' was in the first week of November. The culés had pulled away to 6 points after the thrashing at Santiago Bernabéu two weeks earlier (0-4), but the defeat in San Sebastián against Real (1-0) reduced the distance between the two. Atlético, at that moment, was third, 9 points behind the azulgrana team.

Thus, Barça faces the final stretch of the championship with a minimal lead over Atlético and a victory over Real Madrid, which ultimately counts as an extra advantage in the direct confrontation. The partial score against the 'merengues' is 4-0, with a Clásico pending to be played on matchday 35 in Montjuïc. The culés also have a significant advantage with the goal difference (+46), 16 goals above the 'Casa Blanca' and 19 over the 'colchoneros'.

However, there is a disadvantage to resolve with Atlético related to the direct confrontation. Diego Simeone's team won in the first round in Montjuïc by 1-2, so Barcelona is obliged to win at the Metropolitano on March 16. The match on matchday 28, just before the March international break, will be a true final for the league title.

⚽Results of matchday 26 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25