Overview
- Barcelona won 2-0 at Espanyol with late goals by Dani Olmo (86') and Robert Lewandowski (90') after assists from Fermín López, opening a seven-point gap over Real Madrid.
- Hansi Flick publicly thanked Joan Garcia for preserving the clean sheet with several decisive saves that set up the late breakthrough.
- Espanyol delivered one of their best performances of the season and created multiple clear chances, but their five-match winning streak ended as Garcia repeatedly denied Roberto Fernández and Pere Milla.
- The 24-year-old goalkeeper with Barcelona faced intense hostility from his former supporters, including burned shirts, whistles and rat posters, with no serious incidents reported beyond objects thrown after the second goal.
- Garcia’s form is drawing national-team discussion, supported by figures indicating he concedes roughly one goal every 130 minutes and by praise from Espanyol’s Marko Dmitrovic calling him one of the world’s best.