The FC Barcelona has capped off a historic season by defeating Athletic Club 0-3 at San Mamés, a result that not only reflects their dominance in La Liga but also marks the end of a cycle for some of their players. With this victory, the Catalan team secures a national treble, having conquered the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España.
The match began with an emotional tribute to Óscar de Marcos, who bid farewell to professional football after 573 matches in the red and white jersey. However, Barça did not let nostalgia take over and quickly took control of the game. Robert Lewandowski, in his last match of the season, opened the scoring with a goal that came after a masterful play initiated by Pedri.
The first goal came in the 10th minute when Lewandowski, after a great pass from Pedri, chipped the ball over Unai Simón, unleashing madness among the Barça fans. The Polish striker not only scored his first goal of the night but also reached the milestone of 100 goals in La Liga, a feat that cements him as one of the top scorers in the club's history.
Athletic, who started the match with momentum, saw their attempts to score evaporate due to referee decisions that disallowed two goals for offside. Despite their efforts, Barça remained solid in defense and lethal in attack. In the 30th minute, a corner taken by Rafinha was deflected by Unai Gómez, allowing Lewandowski to score his second goal of the night, putting the score at 0-2.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with Athletic searching for a goal to give them hope, but Barça stood firm. Dani Olmo, who also had a standout performance, sealed the victory from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a foul by Yuri on him. This goal not only meant the final score of 0-3 but also served as a well-deserved recognition of his efforts throughout the season.
Barça's coach, Hansi Flick, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance: "This season has been truly perfect. We played as we have all season and finished well." Meanwhile, Lewandowski expressed his happiness at the season's conclusion: "We had a plan to win and played well. Now it's time to enjoy the moment."
The atmosphere at San Mamés was bittersweet, with Athletic fans showing their discontent towards Barça, especially following the Catalan club's interest in Nico Williams. However, respect for Barça's play was palpable, and many in the stands applauded players like Pedri, who has been one of the season's revelations.
With this victory, FC Barcelona not only bids farewell to the 2024/25 La Liga season but also makes it clear that they have returned to being a feared and respected team in Spanish football. The upcoming season promises to be even more exciting, with hopes that Barça will continue their path to glory.