Ten key moments of La Liga 22/23
FC Barcelona have finally been confirmed Liga 2022/23 champions. They have dominated the competition from start to finish, and despite the occasional bump, they ended up winning the title at a canter.
We now pick the ten most important moments on the road to the club's 27th league trophy:
Seven wins in a row
After a 0-0 draw in the opening fixture against Rayo Vallecano, Barça went to Real Sociedad and won 4-1 with two goals from Lewandowski and one each from Dembélé and Ansu Fati.
That was the first of seven consecutive victories, against Valladolid (4-0), Sevilla (0-3), Cadiz (0-4), Elche (3-0), Mallorca (0-1) and Celta (1-0). It was a strong start, but Real Madrid were also stringing together wins. It was already starting to look like a two-horse race.
Lewandowski conquers Mestalla
Barça were headed for a draw at Valencia, but a goal 3 minutes into injury time from Lewandowski turned a useful point into a fabulous three.
It was especially important after Real Madrid had slipped up against Girona (1-1). A week later, Madrid lost at Rayo Vallecano, and Barça went top of the table thanks to a 2-0 defeat of Almeria. And they would stay top for the rest of the season.
Goodbye Piqué
That game with Almeria was also the very last for Gerard Piqué. Two days before he had published a video announcing his departure, and the game, won with goals from Dembélé and De Jong, doubled as a tribute to the legendary centre back.
Ten man comeback
November also brought a memorable game at Osasuna. With Barça trailing from the 6th minute, things got harder still when Lewandowski was somewhat harshly sent off. But with just ten men, Barça battled back to win the game with goals from Pedri and Raphinha.
That was the last game before the World Cup break, which Barça would spend with a two-point gap between them and Real Madrid.
The Metropolitano is blaugrana
The first away trip after the league resumed was to the Atlético Madrid. Knowing that Madrid had lost to Villarreal, this was the chance to put some distance between the top two, and a Dembélé goal after 22 minutes made sure of that.
Barça were now eight points clear of Real Madrid. The runaway lead was taking shape.
Big win at San Mamés
Athletic Club is always a difficult road trip, but Barça needed the points, knowing that Real Madrid were coming to Spotify Camp Nou the week after.
And they got them. A Raphinha goal just before the break split the teams in the Basque capital.
+12 after the Clásico
Real Madrid were dropping out of the title race, but a win for them in the Clásico would change the whole story. They could get back to within six points.
It was a tense one. An Araujo own goal put the visitors ahead. Sergi Roberto would later equalise but Madrid looked to have won the game in the final seconds. VAR ruled out that goal, and moments later Kessie scored at the other end. Barça were +12. This was almost done...
Ferran downs Atlético
The in-form Atlético Madrid threatened to do damage at Spotify Camp Nou, especially after Barça had drawn twice and seen their lead cut by three points.
A Ferran Torres goal right on the edge of half-time won that game, and meant there was still some breathing space between the Catalans and their chasers.
Jordi Alba 'in extremis'
The return fixture against Osasuna was as intense as the first. It looked like the side from Pamplona were going to nick a 0-0 draw at Spotify Camp Nou, but the Barça full back had different ideas. His late goal practically clinched the Liga title.
Real Madrid lost to Real Sociedad later that same day. Now 12 points clear at the top, with Atlético Madrid now the second placed team, Barça were all but mathematically the league champions.
Champions!
And so it happened the very next week. And at the home of local rivals Espanyol. Three goals in the first half all but decided the game and the title. It ended 4-2, and that was it. Barça had won the league!
There was a long night ahead, both in Las Ramblas and at the Ciutat Esportiva, as the fans and players celebrated the 27th league title to land at FC Barcelona!