Barcelona returned to the top of the La Liga table courtesy of a 2-0 success over Las Palmas at Estadio Gran Canaria on Saturday night.
Atletico Madrid's three-goal victory over Valencia earlier in the evening had seen Diego Simeone's side rise to the summit, but Barcelona moved back into first with a two-goal win over their relegation-threatened opponents.
Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres netted in the second period, with Hansi Flick's side moving onto 54 points, one point ahead of second-placed Atletico and three clear of third-placed Real Madrid, who will take Girona on Sunday afternoon.
Las Palmas, meanwhile, occupy 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Valencia, with Los Amarillos firmly involved in the battle for survival in the final months of the 2024-25 campaign.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Iconsport
This was not pretty from Barcelona, but it was all about getting the job done, and Olmo was the player to step forward on this occasion, finding the back of the net with a super finish after being introduced at the interval, before Torres added a second in the final moments.
Barcelona have been full of goals this season, but their last two league wins have now been 1-0 and 2-0, and those are the results that win championships, with Flick's side now back at the summit.
The Catalan side have now conceded just twice in their six league matches in 2025, and if their defensive solidarity continues, then it is difficult to imagine them being stopped considering their talent in the final third of the field.
It is a fascinating title race in Spain this season, with Atletico and Real Madrid also firmly believing that they can win the trophy, but Barcelona will end this gameweek at the top of the division.
As for Las Palmas, a fourth straight league defeat has left them incredibly close to the relegation zone, and Diego Martinez's side face a huge battle to secure another campaign of top-flight Spanish football.
LAS PALMAS VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
62nd min: Las Palmas 0-1 Barcelona (Dani Olmo)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 62nd minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Olmo, with the Spaniard firing into the top corner after showing wonderful feet inside the Las Palmas penalty box - a real moment of quality here.
95th min: Las Palmas 0-2 Barcelona (Ferran Torres)
Barcelona double their lead in the final stages of this contest, with Torres firing into the back of the net from close range after a clever pass from Raphinha - the visitors have secured all three points.
MAN OF THE MATCH - PAU CUBARSI
© Imago
Cubarsi is simply frightening at just 18 years old, with the centre-back putting in a masterclass against Las Palmas, and he is seemingly destined to become one of the best defenders in world football in the coming years.
The Spain international won five aerial duels and made two tackles during an excellent defensive display, while he finished with a pass success rate of 91%, once again showcasing his quality in possession of the ball.
LAS PALMAS VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Las Palmas 29%-71% Barcelona
Shots: Las Palmas 10-15 Barcelona
Shots on target: Las Palmas 2-5 Barcelona
Corners: Las Palmas 5-3 Barcelona
Fouls: Las Palmas 13-4 Barcelona
BEST STATS
Dani Olmo this season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 22, 2025
10 G/A
10 starts pic.twitter.com/VIXej6NXl0
Lamine Yamal for club and country:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 22, 2025
50 G/A
21 Goals
29 Assists
He's 17 years old. pic.twitter.com/HzfLlO6I05
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona's attention will now switch to the Copa del Rey, preparing to welcome Atletico for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday night, before returning to La Liga action at home to Real Sociedad next Sunday.
Las Palmas, meanwhile, will be bidding to avoid a fifth straight league defeat when they make the trip to basement side Real Valladolid for a huge relegation six-pointer on Friday night.
Matt Law
