Khaberni - FC Barcelona secured their spot in the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League season, regardless of their performance in the current edition of the tournament, becoming the first team to book a ticket for the next edition.
The Catalan team returned to claim the three points in the Spanish league after defeating Rayo Vallecano on Sunday with a solitary goal scored by Ronald Araujo from a corner kick, keeping them at the top of the league with 73 points, four points ahead of Real Madrid, which has 69 points after their 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the capital derby.
Villarreal also secured a new victory with a 3-1 result against Real Sociedad, while Real Betis lost 2-1 against Athletic Bilbao, continuing a streak of five consecutive matches without a win.
This balance in results, along with Barcelona's victory, ensures that the Catalan team will end the season in the top four, as the points difference between them and fourth-placed Betis is (29 points), which is greater than the remaining points (27 points) until the end of La Liga.
In this way, Barcelona becomes the first team confirmed to participate in the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League, marking their 37th time in the history of the competition and the 23rd consecutive since the 2004-2005 season.
It should be noted that Hansi Flick's team qualified for the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League after defeating Newcastle United 7-2 in the second leg of the Round of 16, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St. James' Park.
If they overcome Atletico Madrid in the next round, Barcelona's opponent in the semifinals will be the winner of the match between Arsenal from England and Sporting Lisbon from Portugal.
