Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski struck late against Espanyol.
Match Report
Hansi Flick's side were frustrated until four minutes from time when Fermin Lopez set up his fellow substitutes to score the crucial goals.
First he played in Olmo to curl a superb strike into the top corner, before more good work by Lopez on the right teed up Lewandowski for a delightful close-range finish in the 90th minute.
Barcelona have scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in La Liga this season.
In a lively Catalan derby, the hosts made a fast start with former Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan having a shot blocked after four minutes.
And it was visiting keeper Joan Garcia who returned to haunt his former club, with the 24-year-old - who left Espanyol last summer after nine years - making a string of vital saves.
His replacement Marko Dmitrovic made a crucial stop in the 72nd minute to deny Eric Garcia from close range and a draw looked likely until Barca's late pressure paid off.
Second-placed Real Madrid could reduce the gap at the top to four points if they beat Real Betis at home on Sunday (15:15 GMT).
Espanyol, whose last win over their neighbours in the league was back in 2009, remain in fifth place.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Yamal picks out Ferran but the striker can't take the ball down
20' CLOSE! Roberto through on goal but his effort is straight at Joan Garcia
21' Match Event for Espanyol vs Barcelona
28' Yamal spins away from Milla and whips a ball right across the face of goal
37' Ferran can't keep his header on target from Rashford's free-kick
40' Joan García makes a great save to deny a close-range header
45' Cabrera and Garcia both head off the pitch and Cabrera has cut his head
46' One change for Barcelona at the break as Fermin comes on for Rashford
51' Fermin Lopez involves in a couple of situations that fire up the home crowd
54' From a corner, Jules Kounde has a header saved by Marko Dmitrovic
58' Possibly one of the worst foul throws from Raphinha
63' Raphinha with a free-kick from 25 yards but it defelects away for a corner
66' What a save! Joan Garcia stops Roberto from tapping into an empty net
70' The former Espanyol keeper Garcia makes another save to keep Roberto's shot
71' Great save! Dmitrovic prevents Garcia from scoring from point-blank range
75' Match Event for Espanyol vs Barcelona
77' Pedri gets on to Yamal's pass and goes down in the box
86' GOAL! Olmo breaks the deadlock from Fermin's assist! Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona
89' GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona
Line-ups
Espanyol XI: Cabrera, Dmitrovic, Pere Milla, Pol Lozano, Calero, Exposito, Tyrhys Dolan, Urko González de Zárate, Omar El Hilali, Roberto Fernández, Carlos Romero
Subs: Kike, Rubén Sánchez, Puado, Miguel Rubio, Jofre Carreras, Ramón Terrats, José Salinas, Ángel Fortuño, Antoniu Roca, Clemens Riedel, Luca Koleosho, Ferran Gómez
Barcelona XI: De Jong, Rashford, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Kounde, Eric Garcia, Joan García, Balde, Yamal, Gerard Martín, Cubarsi
Subs: Szczesny, Lewandowski, Ter Stegen, Olmo, Pedri, Casado, Fermín López, Roony Bardghji, Dro Fernández, Bernal, Jofre Torrents, Tommy Marqués
lunkhumyim
356
Joan Garcia could have easily saved Titanic from sinking in... what a performance.
braingopep
280
Garcia, I was wrong, you are the wall of la liga
Nam_So
235
Joan García used his own teammate Gerard Martín to make the save 💀 200 IQ
Omosamuel103
188
Thank you Fermin Lopez you have save millions today ❤️💙
penaldo83
148
what a thrilling game and what a performance from the greatest Goalkeeper of the match, Joan Garcia .
lunkhumyim
133
He Flipped the match. What a player
Itunu100
132
Let appreciate our wall 🧤🤲
Tingthuibo
132
And this goal chnage the games. Like for Olmo
Lauralee
126
Another clean sheet. Take a freaking Bow, Joan Garcia
Ămär Khåñ
118
I am lost for words.
Pepaeit
108
Barcelona must pay additional 35 for this guy
Very Humble
94
Thank you Espanyol for blessing us with exceptional Keeper. Spain #1 Keeper Joan Garcia.
Nam_So
88
This Got be the Best save I ever saw from Barcelona keeper in recent history. Well done to Espanyol goalie too. Man really saved that tapin from Eric Garcia. Well 7 points clear 🔝🔵🔴🫶🏻
dougiefresh
51
🇪🇸 Fermin Lopez💎🌟 for Barcelona this season: ⚽️ 7 goals 🎯 6 assists Extraspecial player! ✨💎🔴🔵🔥💯✅️
Yungswag20
43
Flick doing all this without getting any freedom to sign some players, we are so blessed to have him
CEO222
33
GIF GIF GIF!: https://www.matchgif.com/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=54173627&language=en
suzabcdel
19
if you think Joan Garcia could win goalkeeper of the year like this and show our young goalkeeper some love
Alamuolatunde
16
Joan García used his own teammate Gerard Martín to make the save 💀 200 IQ
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He knew the guy slow.. he will definitely not reach the ball before the opponent
kayusmessi
15
So this is d femin Lopez Chelsea wanted to buy for 40 million euros, I laugh 😂 😂
Dakato
14
me trying to explain to my village people, how Barcelona let Espanyo dominating the game and having big chances to score but the almighty Barcelona disappoint them in final 5 minutes with 2 goals 🤸
Deli85
13
Meet the guy really proved a point to his ex-team tonight.💙❤️💪
Gear5OnePiece__Luffy
11
There’s simply no stopping Barca at a moment. Barca will win UCL and all domestic trophies!
Ghameover
11
🤣🤣
lakbcdeptu
10
for the first time since I became a Barcelona fan, we have a world class goalkeeper!
Zezesol400
10
Not only Garcia being handsome but de guy is de best goalkeeper inde all world as per now
Yungswag20
10
Garcia used Gerard Maldini to save the ball that’s high IQ level 😂
Yungswag20
10
Espanyol fan have reason to be mad Garcia alone saved 4 clear goals
Zouknrstz
9
visca Barca
youaeiksty
9
Visca Barcelona 💪 💪 💪 💪. Joan Garcia isn't just a goalkeeper. He is a saviour at the back of Barca defence.
Tripnoi
9
The main hero for today 🌍
Yungswag20
9
Dani Olmo is gifted player but the body is very fragile and we hoping healthy season for him
Wuubdelu
9
Is Spain coach watching Joan Garcia at all? He might be the best keeper in the whole Europe now.
Nabdeimt
9
That boy Fermin Lopez plays for the badge. His work rate is unbelievable. What a player.
Yohabi1
7
Lewandowski can't stop scoring. Like Messi and CR7, Lewandowski has proven that age is not a barrier to top level performance. Barcelona have to look for a worthy replacement, but they can't just push the Pole away like that.
tedaikruy
7
Any time lewi scores Bayern be like. jo,how far? bonus just entered, do something
Yungswag20
8
This Barcelona is scary even the opponent is challenging them they find themselves way to win
Mawdenrstz
8
Drop a like if you think Joan Garcia should be Spain 🇪🇸 first choice goal keeper in the 2026 World Cup 🏟
Definitely he should be 100%
Actionman101
8
Barcelona for life we fight together 😘😘😘😘😘😘
RAISHRI
7
Joan garcia ...what a performance 🔥🔥🔥 dani olmo and lewa with brilliant finishes and what a good performance by firmin too.. but huge shoutout to espanyol for giving us a wonderful game. it could have gone in their favor too has joan garcia not saved those almost certain goals.
dougiefresh
8
🚨| BREAKING: Joan García 💎🌟now leads Courtois in save percentage this season.🧤
19773958(deleted)
7
Garcia what a master class performance, this guy too good, visca Barca
Vonbceklot
8
Today Barca enjoyed from Joan Garcia what Real Madrid has been enjoying from Thibaut Courtois...
El-Magnificool
8
Real Madrid can't believe their eyes
Yungswag20
8
Espanyol is most difficult match Barcelona played this season with almost full squad depth, it felt like derby in years
Yungswag20
8
No Barca fan pass without liking this great goalkeeper, Barcelona finally got the best keeper
ndabawubafo
7
Garcia to Espanyol fans I still won Man of the match despite your noise
Edooo87
8
Olmo Olmo olmo
Massi_67
8
Dani Olmo goal literally killed the goalkeeper’s confidence.
OluMcCoyIroko
8
Joan Garcia is who Flick says he is. Man has turned to a wall. The MVP of the match no doubt.
Nohabdsuyz
8
Joan Garcia saved the game Femini Lopez changed the game. Visca Barca🔵🔴