Fernandez claims the ball from a right-wing cross, and that will surely be that!
90' +8
Torres tries to link up with Dembele, but the former's pass runs out of play. Will Barca get another chance?
90' +7
We make that 15 players booked in a chaotic Catalan Derby, as Barca look to break down the right...
90' +6
Javi Puado gets yellow.
Puado is the next man into the book after chopping Dembele down outside the box. That was a reckless challenge, and it wouldn't have been a surprise to see a card of another colour.
Yet another yellow card is shown by Lahoz, this time to Barca coach Xavi.
Another substitute incurs Lahoz's wrath, as Tenas is booked.
90' +5
Arnau Tenas gets yellow.
Lahoz has shown yet another yellow card, this time to Raphinha, who was substituted earlier. For those who watched Argentina's ill-tempered World Cup win against the Netherlands, this will be familiar.
90' +3
An Espanyol corner comes to nothing, before Balde flashes a wild cross beyond everyone at the other end. This match is stretched now, and there will surely be one more big chance...
90' +2
Vidal replaces Olivan, who provoked those chaotic scenes with his foul on Lewandowski, as Espanyol look to waste some precious seconds.
90'
Aleix Vidal enters the game and replaces Brian Oliván.
Rubén Sánchez enters the game and replaces Óscar Gil.
Espanyol make another change as Sanchez replaces Gil. Can they hang on to deny Barcelona victory?
There will be nine minutes of stoppage time here! Will we get a winner?
88'
After a below-par 70 minutes, this match has suddenly burst into life! To recap, the two Catalan rivals are each playing with 10 men after Lahoz showed second yellow cards to Alba and Souza, but Cabrera survived what looked like an intentional kick at Lewandowski following a VAR review.
Minute
Description
86'
Simo enters the game and replaces M. Braithwaite.
Braithwaite won't last the 90 minutes on his return to Barca, Simo is on in his place.
82'
J. Koundé enters the game and replaces F. de Jong.
Alejandro Balde enters the game and replaces Sergi Roberto.
Amid the chaos, Kounde replaces Roberto at right-back.
81'
Joselu gets yellow.
80'
Vinicius Souza gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
ANOTHER RED CARD! IT'S 10 AGAINST 10 HERE! Souza is shown a second yellow card for Espanyol in the aftermath of a foul on Lewandowski, which provoked a chaotic confrontation between both teams! Espanyol have squandered their numerical advantage!
79'
Wow. Barcelona appeared to be in complete control of this match, but a clumsy intervention from Alonso helped Espanyol get back on level terms before Alba talked himself into a red card! Out of nowhere, Espanyol are in the ascendency!
78'
Jordi Alba gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! BARCELONA HAVE LOST THEIR LEAD, AND THEY'VE NOW LOST ALBA! Lahoz continues to flash his yellow card, and Alba has talked himself into a second booking after Espanyol were awarded a free-kick! The Barca defender was in conversation with the referee while setting up a defensive wall for the kick, and he's clearly said something Lahoz didn't like!
76'
Pedri gets yellow.
Pedri now becomes the fifth player booked in a matter of moments following a foul in midfield. Lahoz has lost control of this fixture.
75'
Ferran Torres gets yellow.
This is remarkable! Straight from kick-off, Barcelona attack and Torres goes down in search of a penalty. The referee has a long look... and books him for diving!
74'
Jordi Alba gets yellow.
Edu Expósito gets yellow.
Exposito is also cautioned for his role in an altercation between both sets of players.
Souza has followed his team-mate into the book! Lahoz has a reputation for wielding his cards easily, and he's doing so again here!
Alba is shown a yellow card amid the jubilant celebrations from Espanyol, which appear to have riled several Barca players.
73'
Vinicius Souza gets yellow.
Penalty goal scored by Joselu for Espanyol!
JOSELU SCORES! 1-1! Espanyol have barely mustered a chance in this game, but Joselu has levelled things up with his eighth goal of the season! The striker rolls his spot-kick straight down the middle, and Ter Stegen makes a despairing dive to his right. Game on!
69'
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who was criticised for his performance in the World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands, is deep in conversation with the Espanyol coaching staff as Roberto avoids a booking for a tactical foul to halt a visiting break.
67'
Lewandowski tries to find De Jong with an intricate ball in beyond, but it runs long. Barca haven't really got going in the final third in this game, but they are yet to concede a genuine chance at the other end.
65'
Torres makes a run to the near post to meet De Jong's kick, but his header is both high and wide.
64'
Dembele's first involvement sees him skip past three challenges with an electrifying run down the right. The winger's cross is then turned behind for a corner.
63'
Dembele has gone out to his familiar right-wing position for Barca, with Torres cutting in from the left.
62'
Ferran Torres enters the game and replaces Ansu Fati.
O. Dembélé enters the game and replaces Raphinha.
Dembele is also on for his first appearance since he was withdrawn before half-time by France in the World Cup final. Raphinha goes off.
That stoppage provides a chance for more Barca changes. Torres is on for Fati, who has been kept quiet by Espanyol.
60'
Alba is down following a collision with Gil, though the referee doesn't appear to have awarded a foul either way.
59'
Ter Stegen pushes a tame shot from Puado away, but the Espanyol wideman was offside anyway.
58'
The pattern of the second half is very similar to that of the first 45 minutes. Barca are dominating possession without creating too much in the way of clear-cut chances, with Espanyol unable to gain a foothold.
57'
Javi Puado enters the game and replaces Nico Melamed.
Edu Expósito enters the game and replaces Fernando Calero.
Espanyol are making a double change here. Having just been booked, Calero is taken off for Exposito.
Melamed is also withdrawn, with Puado on in his place.
56'
GOOD CHANCE! Lewandowski may feel he should have done better there! Roberto keeps a deep free-kick alive on the right before cutting inside to deliver a left-footed cross. Lewandowski nods it narrowly wide of the bottom-right corner.
55'
Fernando Calero gets yellow.
Calero is cautioned for a cynical foul on De Jong, who was breaking down the left wing after Espanyol clumsily conceded possession in midfield.
53'
Raphinha leads a promising Barca break after De Jong mops up a long throw-in at the other end. However, the Brazilian overruns it and hands the visitors possession.
52'
Sergio Busquets enters the game and replaces Gavi.
Busquets is the first substitute to enter the fray in this Catalan Derby, replacing Gavi in midfield. Xavi will hope the 18-year-old has avoided any lasting damage.
50'
Worrying signs for Barca as Gavi appears to be holding his back. Busquets is warming up and looks set to replace his Spain team-mate.
49'
Danger! Roberto darts in from the right to meet De Jong's crossfield ball and turn it across the six-yard box. However, no Barca player can get there, and it goes behind for a goal-kick.
48'
Lewandowski is tripped by Souza as the striker looked to break into the Espanyol half following a neat flick towards De Jong. The visiting player escapes without a booking, however.
47'
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 23 LaLiga matches when leading at half-time (W21, D2) dating back to a 2-1 defeat against Granada last April. Are the Blaugrana set to finish 2022 at the top of the league?
46'
Espanyol get the ball rolling for the second half!
45'
HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 1-0 ESPANYOL
43'
The hosts win a free-kick in a left-of-centre position, 35 yards from goal, following a foul on Fati. Raphinha swings it towards the back post, but Christensen's weak header is well wide.
41'
For all Barca's dominance of possession, their best chances of the game have tended to come from set-piece situations. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Dembele relatively early in the second half if the game stays like this.
39'
Fernandez makes another save to deny Raphinha, though this one is more routine as the Brazil winger fails to generate any power with his side-footed effort.
36'
Gil overhits a cross from the right wing after beating Alba. Espanyol have had a bit more joy in the last five minutes, but they are yet to test Ter Stegen.
34'
Espanyol's corner is cleared by the first man, before Christensen overhits a pass meant for Fati as Barca's break is halted.
33'
Good effort! Joselu sprays an excellent ball out to Melamed, who sees his bending shot drop narrowly wide of Ter Stegen's left-hand post. The referee spots a deflection off Roberto, and awards a corner!
31'
L. Cabrera gets yellow.
Cabrera is the next man cautioned for a clear block on Roberto. Espanyol need to regain their composure.
30'
Gavi gets yellow.
Brian Oliván gets yellow.
Olivan joins Gavi in the book after that incident.
Gavi and Olivan clash in the penalty area before the corner is overhit by De Jong. The referee books both men.
29'
Alba sees his cut-back cleared behind for a corner after latching onto Fati's pass. Moments earlier, Raphinha was denied a free-kick on the left wing. Barca are looking to up the ante.
28'
Barca have had 76.5 per cent possession so far at Camp Nou, and Espanyol are yet to fashion anything approaching a chance. Xavi will be delighted with the Blaugrana's control of the game.
26'
Christensen does well to clear the free-kick, and Fati is fouled as he looks to break. Barca want a yellow card for Olivan, but the referee is unmoved.
25'
Ansu Fati gets yellow.
Fati picks up the first yellow card of the game after appearing to throw an arm towards Gil as he shielded the ball in his own half. That's a needless foul, and it gives Espanyol a right-wing free-kick.
24'
The resulting corner is mishit and comes to nothing, but Barca quickly regain possession and look to build from the back again.
23'
A dangerous break from Barca ends with Espanyol conceding a corner. Gavi did brilliantly on halfway to send Raphinha clear, but Olivan did well to match the Brazil attacker's pace and make a vital tackle.
22'
Raphinha tries a clever reverse ball towards the run of Fati, but he puts too much on it and Espanyol win possession back.
20'
Barca win another corner on the left wing, but Espanyol clear before Gil does enough to put Fati off from the second cross.
17'
Raphinha sees a low shot deflect well wide of the right-hand post, handing Barca another corner.
16'
Roberto eventually clears at the third attempt after Espanyol launch the ball into the hosts' area. The visitors will have to take advantage of situations like that if they are to find a way back into this game.
15'
Gavi concedes a cheap free-kick just inside the Barca half, allowing Espanyol to get players forward.
13'
More danger for the visitors as Lewandowski reaches the inswinging kick first, but his header is too close to Fernandez.
12'
Barca earn another corner as Raphinha's low cross deflects behind. Can Espanyol defend this one better?
10'
Alonso has spent much of his first season at Camp Nou playing out of position due to defensive injuries, and he's filling in at centre-back again here. However, the former Chelsea man showed his attacking instincts are still there when he went forward for that corner.
9'
Barca are immediately on the attack again after the goal, with Fati cutting inside to fire over the crossbar. Espanyol face a real uphill task now.
7'
Marcos Alonso has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by A. Christensen.
Christensen did well to put the ball on a plate for Alonso with a fine header at the back post, but the defending from Espanyol was dire, leaving the centre-back free to pick out his team-mate.
GOAL! BARCA LEAD 1-0, AND ALONSO HAS HIS FIRST LEAGUE GOAL FOR THE CLUB! Espanyol defend the resulting corner terribly, with Christensen given a free header at the back post. The Denmark defender nods the ball across the six-yard box, where the unmarked Alonso powers a header home!
4'
Barca are keeping possession patiently in their own half, with De Jong and Pedri dropping in to keep the ball moving in front of a well-drilled defence.
2'
An early mix-up in the home defence almost allows Melamed to break through on goal, but the ball eventually runs out of play.
1'
After a moment's silence to honour the life of Pele is impeccably observed, Barcelona get their last game of 2022 under way
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Barcelona's clash with Espanyol in LaLiga!
Barcelona take on their local rivals Espanyol in their first fixture after the World Cup, looking to return to the top of LaLiga after Real Madrid overtook them with Friday's late 2-0 win at Real Valladolid. Xavi's men have only lost once in the league all season, and will be hopeful of picking up where they left off at Camp Nou.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi; Ansu Fati, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha.
BARCELONA SUBS: Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas, Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo, Sergio Busquets, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay, Franck Kessie, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde.
ESPANYOL (5-3-2): Alvaro Fernandez; Leandro Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, Fernando Calero, Brian Olivan, Oscar Gil; Sergi Darder, Vinicius Souza, Nicolas Melamed; Joselu, Martin Braithwaite.
ESPANYOL SUBS: Joan Garcia, Benjamin Lecomte, Javier Puado, Jose Carlos Lazo, Edu Exposito, Aleix Vidal, Omar El Hilali, Ruben Sanchez, Simo, Daniel Villahermosa, Roger Martinez.
The teams are out at Camp Nou and kick-off is just moments away!
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 24 games against Espanyol in LaLiga (W18 D6), their longest run without a defeat against them in the top flight. Their last such defeat came in February 2009 (1-2), a game Xavi played in. Will the Blaugrana continue that remarkable run?
The referee blows for half-time without adding any stoppage time, and Barcelona have a slender lead in the Derbi Barceloni following a low-key opening period. Alonso's 7th-minute header still seperates the teams, and Espanyol will be bitterly disappointed with their defending of the corner which led to the opener. As it stands, Barca are heading top of LaLiga at the end of 2022!
Espanyol are in dire need of the points, but have done little to suggest they can threaten Xavi's team here. Melamed has looked their brightest spark, while Braithwaite has been quiet on his Camp Nou return. Barca, meanwhile, will want the security of a second goal, and the introductions of Dembele and Depay surely cannot be far away.
Barcelona drop points for just the third time this season, as their local rivals inch one point clear of the bottom three by claiming a huge result. Xavi's team will certainly see this result as a setback, and they will likely be furious with the chaotic refereeing of the closing stages.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of an action-packed Catalan Derby. That's all from us, we hope to see you next time!
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