FC Barcelona wins 0-2 against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellá. The *azulgranas* close the first half of the season with 49 points out of a possible 57, a figure that is 11 points higher than last season's tally at this stage of the course. The victory consolidates Barça's lead and puts Real Madrid under maximum pressure before they host Betis this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The goals from Dani Olmo in the 86th minute and Robert Lewandowski in the 90th, both after coming off the bench, sealed a derby in which Joan García was named MVP for his recital of saves that kept the team going through the most difficult moments.

Hansi Flick's Barça notches its ninth consecutive victory in LaLiga, matching the best league streak of the German coach's era and demonstrating a solidity that makes them the clear favorite to win the title.

Barcelona Leads Real Madrid by Seven Points

The standings of LaLiga 2025-26 at matchday 18 leaves FC Barcelona alone at the top with 49 points, the result of 16 wins, 1 draw, and only 2 losses. Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, have accumulated 42 points and face Betis this Sunday (16:15h/DAZN LaLiga) without the injured Kylian Mbappé, a significant absence for the team coached by Xabi Alonso.

White needs to imperatively add the three points against the green-and-white team so as not to see the distance with the leader widen even further. The seven-point lead currently enjoyed by Barça is an important cushion for the second half of the season.

LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 Standings on Matchday 18

Pos. Club PJ PTS DG
1️⃣ FC Barcelona 19 49 33
2️⃣ Real Madrid 18 42 20
3️⃣ Villarreal 17 38 18
4️⃣ Atlético Madrid 18 37 17

Villarreal climbs to third place; Atlético closes the matchday

Behind the two giants, Villarreal has made a statement by winning 1-3 at Elche's ground, allowing them to unseat Atlético de Madrid from third place in the standings. The Castellón team has accumulated 38 points, one more than the Colchoneros, who have the opportunity to regain third place this Sunday (9:00 PM) when they visit Real Sociedad at Anoeta to close matchday 19.

This fight for European positions adds excitement to a LaLiga that, at the top, seems dominated by FC Barcelona, but where the battle to accompany the leader in next season's Champions League promises to be thrilling. Villarreal demonstrates its candidacy to sneak among the greats, while Atlético must react to avoid falling behind the top positions

All the results from LaLiga Matchday 18 25-26

  1. Rayo 1-1 Getafe (Friday)
  2. Celta 4-1 Valencia (Saturday)
  3. Osasuna 1-1 Athletic (Saturday)
  4. Elche 1-3 Villarreal (Saturday)
  5. Espanyol 0-2 FC Barcelona (Saturday)
  6. Sevilla vs Levante (Sunday)
  7. Real Madrid vs Betis (Sunday)
  8. Alavés vs Oviedo (Sunday)
  9. Mallorca vs Girona (Sunday)
  10. Real Sociedad vs Atlético (Sunday)

Barça Puts LaLiga on Hold to Focus on Spanish Super Cup

With the first round of LaLiga completed and the winter champion title secured, FC Barcelona will put domestic competition aside until Sunday, January 18th, when they visit Real Sociedad at Anoeta (9:00 PM). Before that, the Catalans will travel this Monday to Saudi Arabia to compete in the Spanish Super Cup, where they will defend the title won last season.

On Wednesday, January 7 (8:00 PM/Movistar+ and Orange), **Barça** will face **Athletic Club** in Jeddah in the tournament's semifinal. Should they overcome the Basque lions, their opponent in the final on Sunday, January 11 (8:00 PM) would be the winner of the match between **Real Madrid** and **Atlético de Madrid**, who play their semifinal on Thursday, January 8 (8:00 PM)

Hansi Flick's team faces this challenge with the confidence of a streak of nine consecutive wins in the league and with only three defeats throughout the campaign: those suffered against Rayo Vallecano (1-1), Sevilla (4-1), and Real Madrid (2-1). The numbers back the leader, who seeks to add the first official title of the season before refocusing on the definitive conquest of LaLiga 2025-26.