FC Barcelona 3–0 Mallorca: A winning farewell

Win, lose or draw, today’s game was always going to be a celebration. The very last game at Spotify Camp Nou, and the very last home fixtures for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. It was about honouring six and a half decades of memories at this grand stadium, and the careers of two of the most important players ever to don the famous blaugrana jersey.

But winning celebrations are always the best kind, and after two rather flaccid defeats since wrapping up the Liga title, all the intensity was back. The Barça players were understandably keen to put on a show befitting of the occasion, and they delivered just what the fans ordered.

It took less than two minutes to open the scoring. Mallorca were caught napping at the back and Gavi was able to lay up Ansu Fati for a simple finish. From that moment onwards there was never really any question about this one.

Barça were going to be bringing down the Spotify Camp Nou curtain in style.

Ansu double

That was even more inevitable when the visitors were reduced to ten men before the first quarter hour was up. A challenge as reckless as it was pointless from Amath Ndiaye on Alejandro Balde, which meant the Barça right back had to be carried off the pitch and replaced by Sergi Roberto, was rightly punished for a red card.

Mallorca’s dwindling hopes of European football next season were all but dashed by that moment. They were both a goal down and a man down and up against a Barça side that was hell-bent on putting on a show for the fans.

A stupendous little flick from Robert Lewandowski and there was Ansu Fati to score his second goal of the evening.

Gavi makes it three

Mallorca could have been on the end of a severe punishing but somehow or other managed to keep Barça from extending their lead until the 70th minute.

Both Jules Kounde and Lewandowski hit the woodwork, Ousmane Dembélé had one cleared off the line and Ansu Fati was always threatening to complete his hat-trick.

But a third goal always looked on the cards and it finally came from a brilliantly executed Gavi finish.

Tearful farewell to two legends

And then came not one but two moments in which there can’t have been a dry eye in the house. After 80 minutes, Spotify Camp Nou was on its feet as the man manager Xavi described after the game as "the greatest full back in club history" departed the pitch for the very last time. Jordi Alba. What a moment.

And before there had been time for the lumps in people’s throats to ease, there was more. A similarly emotional ovation accompanied Sergio Busquets off the field. Captain and midfield maestro. "The greatest defensive midfielder this club has ever had", said Xavi.

Thanks for the memories

With all the hugs and applause, it was easy to forget that there was still a game of football to get finished.

But there was little more story to this one. Barça held on not only for the win but also the one clean sheet that Ter Stegen needed to complete the biggest ever collection in Liga history!

The final whistle blew for the last ever game at Spotify Camp Nou as we have known and loved it for so many years. A year in ‘exile’ at the Olympic Stadium awaits. But we’ll be back in December 2024 and playing football in a stadium that will be the envy of world football. Just wait and see!