Barcelona Return to LaLiga Summit with Hard-Fought Victory Over Las Palmas

Barcelona have reclaimed top spot in LaLiga after a 2-0 win over Las Palmas, thanks to late goals from Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.

Barcelona secured a fifth consecutive LaLiga victory, defeating Las Palmas 2-0 in a thrilling encounter that saw them reclaim top spot from Atlético Madrid. The win marked Barcelona's 13th unbeaten game in a row, a testament to their resilience and determination.

The match was preceded by Atlético Madrid's win over Valencia, which meant that Barcelona had to secure a win to regain their position at the top of the table. However, they faced a formidable opponent in Las Palmas, who had already beaten them in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Las Palmas were determined to achieve their first-ever league double over Barcelona, and they rose to the occasion, putting in a strong performance despite their recent struggles with relegation.

The first half of the game saw Las Palmas create several scoring opportunities, with former Barcelona player Sandro Ramírez coming closest to scoring with a shot that forced Wojciech Szczęsny to make a crucial save. Barcelona, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm, with Lamine Yamal missing a gilt-edged chance to score from 12 yards out. Despite their dominance, Barcelona were limited to few clear-cut chances, and the first half ended with the scoreline goalless.

🌴 FULL TIME! 🌴#LasPalmasBarça pic.twitter.com/8T0adstPLU

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 22, 2025

The Barcelona faithful who made the trip to Las Palmas were initially frustrated by the team's lackluster performance. Expecting a dominant display from their side, which had seemingly regained its footing in the league, they were instead treated to a tame and uneventful first half. Las Palmas, hovering precariously above the relegation zone, proved to be more resilient than anticipated, leaving Barcelona shell-shocked.

The second half, however, told a different story. It appeared that coach Julian Nagelsmann's halftime words, or perhaps those of his assistant Flick, had a profound impact on the team. Barcelona began to assert their dominance, with Raphinha narrowly missing a header from Yamal's pinpoint cross. The Brazilian winger had earlier seen his penalty appeals waved away, despite appearing to be pulled in the area. As Barcelona continued to turn the screw, Yamal eventually secured an assist, cleverly feinting to create space before squaring the ball to Dani Olmo, who expertly placed his shot into the top corner.

Never provoke a shark. 🦈#LasPalmasBarça | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/cKp7t9zhA5

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 22, 2025

The goal proved to be a turning point, as Barcelona regained their composure and began to play with renewed freedom. Lamine Yamal, in particular, was a joy to watch, showcasing his skills with a delightful Cruyff-turn on the halfway line. As the match drew to a close, Barcelona survived a late handball scare, only to deliver a cruel blow to Diego Martinez's side. Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the roof of the net, securing the three points and sending Barcelona back to the top of the La Liga standings.