Talking points from European soccer

Talking points from the weekend in European soccer leagues:

BARCELONA TAKE HUGE STEP TOWARDS LALIGA TITLE

Barcelona have tightened their grip at the top of the LaLiga standings after an electric 2-1 comeback win in an El Clasico against bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday.

Franck Kessie's stunner in added time gave Barca a well-earned victory that left second-placed Real trailing the leaders by 12 points with only 12 games to be played.

Only a major letdown would take the title away from Barcelona, who are set to lift their first LaLiga title in four years.

It is also a major boost in confidence to Barcelona who earned their third consecutive win in all competitions against their bitter rivals for the first time in over a decade.

They will host Real Madrid again in two weeks in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi final tie after winning 1-0 away at Santiago Bernabeu.

With Real having to share their focus on their Champions League quarter final tie against Chelsea in their effort to win back-to-back European championships, Barca are starting to dream with the LaLiga and Copa del Rey double.

FEYENOORD LOOK ODDS-ON FOR DUTCH TITLE

Feyenoord exorcised their Amsterdam demons on Sunday as they claimed a first league win at Ajax in 18 years in ‘De Klassieker’ to open up a six-point lead over their bitter rivals at the top of the Eredivisie table.

Chasing a first championship since the 2016-17 season, Feyenoord showed immense character to come from 2-1 down and claim victory in a five-goal thriller that at times threatened to boil over in the first half.

Indeed, Feyenoord coach Arne Slot made the decision to remove Quilindschy Haartman from the game after only 24 minutes with the fullback on a yellow card and final warning from