Barcelona reclaimed the top position of La Liga with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Las Palmas, thanks to goals from substitutes Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres on February 22, 2025. This match was particularly significant for Barcelona, as it not only provided them with three valuable points but also served as revenge for their earlier surprise defeat to Las Palmas earlier this season.
The game unfolded at the Gran Canaria Stadium, where Barcelona started the match with tenacity, eager to maintain their status at the summit of La Liga. Under the guidance of manager Hansi Flick, the Catalans had been on excellent form, needing to secure the win against Las Palmas, especially after Atletico Madrid's earlier victory had temporarily placed them on top of the standings.
Despite their dominant possession, Barcelona struggled to break the deadlock during the first half. Although they created several opportunities, the visiting team's passing often missed the mark, and Las Palmas successfully repelled their advances. Notably, Fermín López, who got the nod to start, had difficulty making impactful plays and was substituted at halftime for Olmo, whose return to form was eagerly anticipated.
Olmo proved pivotal just after the break, coming onto the pitch with determination. It was clear from the outset he aimed to make his mark. Only seventeen minutes after his introduction, he responded to Lamine Yamal's crafty setup, threading the needle through the Las Palmas defense. With agility, he evaded his marker and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from just inside the box, which hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down to break the deadlock at the 62nd minute. This goal showcased Olmo's innate ability to turn the tide of the game and spark energy within his teammates.
The tenor of the match shifted dramatically following Olmo's goal; Barcelona grew increasingly confident and settled onto the front foot. Nonetheless, the game remained tense for the visitors as Las Palmas continued pushing forward, hoping to equalize. A nervy moment occurred when Eric García's handball inside the area led to calls for a penalty. The on-field referee initially pointed to the spot, but this decision was reversed after VAR intervention determined the buildup to the play was offside, much to Barcelona's relief.
With the clock winding down, Barcelona searched for insurance against any potential risk of conceding. Enter Ferran Torres, another substitute introduced late to the game. The Catalan winger sealed the victory with style, firing home another dazzling goal, again hitting the crossbar before settling sweetly over the line, this time at 90+5 minutes. His moment of brilliance not only secured the win but also highlighted the effectiveness of Barcelona's bench strength.
Following the match, Olmo expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance: "Today we took three important points, so we're going home happy," he stated emphatically, underscoring the significance of the victory. After experiencing less playing time due to injuries and coaching decisions earlier this season, Olmo's impactful display at Las Palmas signals his readiness to reclaim his spot among the starting XI. "I am in shape, I'm 100 percent, with a lot of desire to play and get back in the team," he added, clearly motivated to help his team maintain their winning streak.
Flick commented on his team's performance, admitting, "It was not as serious as we normally want to play," showing awareness of the subpar first-half display. Despite earlier struggles, the victory was monumental, placing Barcelona back atop the league table with 54 points, just one point above Atletico Madrid, who sit at 53 after their win against Valencia on the same day.
Notably, Real Madrid, trailing with 51 points, had the opportunity to level with Barcelona if they win their fixture against Girona later on Sunday. Barcelona's resilience and ability to bounce back demonstrate their potential as serious title contenders, eager to build on their win.
This victory against Las Palmas serves not only as revenge for past missteps but also solidifies Barcelona's momentum, particularly with key fixtures approaching. With Olmo reestablishing himself and Torres now contributing decisively off the bench, Barcelona appears well-positioned to pursue their 28th La Liga title, continuing to impress as the season progresses.