Barcelona needed a slice of fortune to edge past Leganes 1-0 and extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. A second-half own goal from Jorge Saenz proved decisive as the league leaders ground out a hard-fought win away from home.
The Catalan giants, eyeing a potential quadruple this season, did not have things all their own way at Butarque Stadium. Leganes, sitting in the relegation zone, proved stubborn opponents and nearly came away with a result for the second time this season, having stunned Barcelona with a 1-0 win at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys back in December.
Barcelona entered the match on the back of an impressive 24-match unbeaten run in 2025. However, their performance on the night lacked the attacking flair and sharpness they have often displayed during this stretch. The first half was particularly drab, with Leganes successfully frustrating their more illustrious opponents with tactical fouls and time-wasting.
The home side carved out the best opportunity of the opening period when Dani Raba broke free down the left and picked out Adria Altimira, only for the latter’s shot to be denied by a fine save from Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Barcelona struggled to create clear chances. A deflected effort from Jules Kounde was the closest they came in the first half, as Leganes keeper Marko Dmitrovic remained largely untested. Barcelona also suffered a setback before the break when Alejandro Balde appeared to pick up a muscular injury and was forced off.
The breakthrough came shortly after the restart. With Robert Lewandowski lurking in the box, Saenz inadvertently turned a low cross from Raphinha into his own net. The goal forced Leganes to open up slightly, allowing Barcelona to create more opportunities.
Fermin Lopez missed a golden chance to extend the lead after battling his way into the box, only to scuff his shot wide. Lewandowski then went close with a header from another Raphinha delivery, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal drew a near-post save from Dmitrovic with a rare burst of attacking quality.
Leganes, undeterred, thought they had equalized when Raba headed into the net, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside. Substitute Diego Garcia then spurned a decent chance late on, dragging his shot wide of Szczesny’s post.
In stoppage time, former Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi had a clear run on goal, but a brilliantly timed last-ditch tackle by Inigo Martinez preserved the three points for the visitors. The players celebrated the tackle with the same intensity as if it were a goal.
Despite the narrow win, the result was a significant one for Barcelona in their title push. The victory, coupled with Real Madrid yet to play their weekend fixture against Alaves, gives them breathing space at the summit.
Leganes remain 19th in the table, two points from safety. While they left empty-handed, their performance showed resilience and belief, giving them hope for survival in the final stretch of the campaign.
