FC Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory against Las Palmas on February 22, 2025, thanks to two well-executed goals from Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. This important match allowed Barcelona to maintain their position at the top of the league, reinforcing their aspirations for the season.
The match, held at Las Palmas’ home ground, began with both teams showing aggressive intent. Within the first few minutes, Las Palmas created several opportunities, initially testing Barcelona's defense. Stefan Bajcetic made the first attempt from range, but it was soon followed by Robert Lewandowski's close miss. The early exchanges indicated it would be a competitive encounter.
Barcelona struggled to find their rhythm during the first half, with Las Palmas consistently pressing and creating goal-scoring chances. Despite their efforts, they failed to capitalize on clear opportunities. Viti's long-range effort grazed the post, and Mika Mármol's inside-the-area shot was miraculously saved. This impressive defensive display from Las Palmas kept the pressure on the visitors.
Barcelona, meantime, appeared disheartened. Their play lacked cohesion, and their shots on goal were often wayward. Lamine Yamal’s attempted strike after winning the ball from a corner was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock. Nevertheless, they remained dangerous, as even the slightest defensive lapse from Las Palmas could lead to danger.
The game shifted dramatically after halftime. Coach Hansi Flick's decision to substitute Dani Olmo for Fermín proved pivotal. Almost immediately, Barcelona gained possession and control over the match. A mistake during Las Palmas' ball clearance allowed Olmo to seize the moment. After regaining the ball, he surged forward, receiving assistance from Lamine Yamal, who fed him with precision.
Olmo’s composure showed as he expertly evaded defenders and slotted the ball beautifully with his left foot: it sailed past goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and struck the left side of the net. This gorgeous goal came as much-needed relief to Barcelona and initiated their momentum shift as they took the lead at 62 minutes.
Yet, the match was not without controversy. A potential penalty for Las Palmas led to another VAR review when Alex Suárez's effort was dismissed by referee Cordero Vega after he deliberated for more than five minutes over the play, resulting finally in identifying offside against Suárez. This decision was met with mixed reactions as many felt it should have been awarded.
Despite the tension of the review, Barcelona's resilience shone through, and as the match progressed, they solidified their advantage. Even with Las Palmas trying to mount pressure, Barcelona's tactical awareness and determination prevailed. They were not finished; late game hero Ferran Torres made his mark.
With just minutes left and the game nearing its conclusion, Raphinha delivered yet another incisive pass to Ferran Torres. Allowing the ball to bounce before making contact, Torres unleashed a powerful left-footed shot. The ball struck the crossbar, generating anxious moments for the Las Palmas fans before ricocheting down and settling firmly inside the net.
This incredible intervention tilted the final score to 2-0, capping off Torres’ remarkable performance and sealing three valuable points for his team. With this goal marking his 11th of the season, he demonstrated how lethal he could be within the penalty area, scoring every 87 minutes on average.
The match had initially been challenging, filled with missed chances and controversy, but Barcelona's ability to overcome these hurdles, driven by Olmo's early breakthrough and supported by Torres' late goal, highlighted their determination to dominate and aim for the title this season.
Ferran Torres’ consistent impact from the bench and starting positions, combined with his recent form, has established him as one of Barcelona's pivotal players. His ability to create and finalize opportunities under pressure reaffirms his value to the squad, and as he continues to build on this success, he could become the difference-maker as Barcelona progresses through the season.