Marcus Rashford struck a superb free-kick as Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 5-3 at the Camp Nou to clinch the La Liga title with three games to spare. The victory, their first clásico title decider in 94 years, sealed a first league crown for 11 of Hansi Flick's players, including the Englishman on loan from Manchester United.
Rashford's 14th goal of the season came after just nine minutes, curling over the wall and beyond Thibaut Courtois. Ferran Torres doubled the lead ten minutes later, volleying in after a sublime assist from Dani Olmo. Despite a fightback that included a goal from Jude Bellingham, Barcelona held firm to ignite celebrations among the 62,000 crowd.
For Real Madrid, defeat compounded a turbulent week that saw vice-captain Fede Valverde hospitalised following a clash with Aurélien Tchouaméni. The result leaves them trophyless for a second successive season, while Barcelona's triumph was particularly poignant for Flick, whose father had passed away earlier that day.
Rashford, whose future remains uncertain, insisted he wanted to savour the moment. 'La Liga champion, that sounds good,' he said as fireworks lit up the stadium. 'If this is just a one-year loan, what a way to sign off.'
