It is finally over. Real Madrid can no longer claim to fight until it’s mathematically possible to win the league. This was a fight lost long before the El Clasico this Sunday at the Camp Nou. But Barcelona had the perfect evening planned – claiming it right in front of a Real Madrid side that was already down and out in every way imaginable.
Barcelona’s cumulative final third touches climbed steadily from kickoff, with both goals coming inside the opening 20 minutes. Madrid did chip away at the xT gap before halftime and briefly drew level, but Barca pulled away again after the break and never let them back in. By full-time, the gap was at its widest.
Trent Alexander-Arnold ran things from deep with 16 progressive passes, more than double anyone else, plus the highest xT gain on the field. López led progressive carries, with Raphinha and Pedri close behind. Pedri also topped longball completion at 100% and tied for the most ball recoveries on seven.
Marcus Rashford dominated the final third with 33 touches there. Brahim Díaz completed six take-ons, when no one else managed more than one, and finished with a perfect pass completion rate. Gerard Martín ended up with more touches than any player on the pitch.
Eduardo Camavinga matched a few of Barca’s midfielders on carries, and Aurelien Tchouaméni won four aerial duels, more than anyone. Antonio Rüdiger held his own on longballs. These are decent individual showings, but they’re scattered. Barcelona had numbers everywhere.