Barça Takes the Lead in LaLiga with a Record-Breaking Comeback

LaLiga has a new leader on matchday 24. For the first time since matchday 15, FC Barcelona returned to the top of the standings thanks to Robert Lewandowski's goal against Rayo (1-0). The Blaugrana's victory, along with draws from Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid against Osasuna (1-1) and Celta de Vigo (1-1), returned the lead to Hansi Flick's team, although the Catalans have the same number of points as the 'merengues' (51).

The goal difference (+40) and the direct confrontation against Madrid (4-0) allows Barça to regain the lead that they had ceded on matchday 15, after losing at home to UD Las Palmas (1-2). The Catalans only earned 1 point between matchdays 13 and 15, wasting their 6 and 10 point advantage over Real and Atlético that they had on matchday 12, after winning the derby against Espanyol (3-1).

The defeat at Anoeta (1-0) against Real Sociedad on matchday 13 initiated a decline for the Blaugrana that extended until matchday 20, with a record of 1 win, 3 draws, and 4 losses. This caused Madrid and Atlético to pull away by 7 and 5 points, respectively. However, between matchdays 22 and 24, Barça managed to reverse the disadvantage with an incredible comeback in just .

Barça Overcomes a Seven-Point Deficit in Just Three Matchdays!

At the end of matchday 20, on January 20, Real Madrid had 46 points, Atlético 45, and Barça 39. The draw of the 'colchoneros' against Villarreal (1-1) allowed the Catalans to close the gap to three points from second place on matchday 21, while Madrid still had a 7-point lead after their thrashing of Valladolid (0-3). 22 days later, the 'merengue' advantage vanished in just 3 matchdays.

The Madrid collapse began with the defeat in Cornellà against Espanyol (1-0). Barça defeated Alavés (1-0) on matchday 22 and, a week later, Sevilla (1-4), while 'La Casa Blanca' stumbled again in the derby against Atlético (1-1). With the victory in Montjuïc against Rayo and the results from Saturday in El Sadar and the Metropolitano, the Blaugrana comeback was a fact on matchday 24.

⚽LaLiga Standings at the End of Matchday 21 (January 27, 2025)

1. Real Madrid: 49 points
2. Atlético de Madrid: 45 points
3. FC Barcelona: 42 points

⚽LaLiga Standings at the End of Matchday 24 (February 17, 2025)

1. FC Barcelona: 51 points
2. Real Madrid: 51 points
3. Atlético de Madrid: 50 points