La Liga: Barcelona draw closer to title triumph; Elche relegated to Liga 2
Jordi Alba struck a late winner for Barcelona in a 1-0 win over 10-man Osasuna on Tuesday to move the Catalans a step closer to their first LaLiga title since 2019.
Xavi Hernandez’s side climbed 14 points clear of second place Real Madrid, who visit Real Sociedad later on.
The visitors had debutant Jorge Herrando sent off in the first half for a professional foul on Pedri, as they sat deep and tried to frustrate hosts Barcelona.
Visiting goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez kept the leaders at bay in the second half but eventually substitute Alba, who has had reduced minutes this season, sliced home a volley to snatch a late victory.
Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate rotated heavily to rest players ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Madrid on Saturday, while Barca started with the same side which crushed Real Betis at the weekend.
The Catalans failed to carve out many clear opportunities in the first half against their defensive opponents.
The best chance fell to Pedri after left-back Alejandro Balde found him a few yards out from goal but he did not connect with the ball well, scuffing a shot wide.
Osasuna were reduced to 10 men before the half hour mark when Herrando pulled down Pedri as he ran in on goal.
The visitors might have been reduced to nine men as goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez collided with Raphinha outside the area as the Brazilian burst through, but the referee decided both players were to blame.
Ronald Araujo powered a header narrowly over the bar from Raphinha’s corner, while the Brazilian whipped a free-kick onto the roof of the net.
Xavi brought on Ansu Fati after 35 minutes for Gavi, who appeared to take a knock, and the forward came close at the start of the second half but Fernandez denied him.
Frenkie de Jong should have sent Barcelona ahead but fired straight at the goalkeeper from six yards out when Pedri found him.
Barcelona’s frustration grew when Fernandez saved from Fati again and substitute Ousmane Dembele sent a shot wide from close range.
LaLiga’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski had another quiet night at the office and when he did get a chance, Fernandez foiled him too.
Ferran Torres almost scored when he deflected a clearance narrowly wide of the far post, with Osasuna clinging on by their fingertips.
When Lewandowski found the net with 10 minutes remaining it was ruled out for offside.
Eventually the breakthrough came with five minutes to go, with substitute Alba volleying home his second goal of the season after De Jong headed the ball into his path, sparking vigorous celebrations.
Real Madrid fell to a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on Tuesday, leaving the champions 14 points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona with five games remaining.
Former Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea netted for the hosts, who tightened their grip on fourth spot and Champions League qualification.
Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was sent off after an hour for a second yellow card to make matters worse for Los Blancos.
The Italian played a makeshift side because of injuries and suspensions, and he also left striker Karim Benzema behind in the Madrid capital ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final clash with Osasuna.
Alex Remiro denied Madrid defender Eder Militao in the opening stages while Martin Zubimendi struck the crossbar at the other end from close range.
Kubo struck at the start of the second half for the hosts after Militao gave the ball away in a dangerous area.
Carvajal was dismissed for a foul on Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal, giving Madrid an uphill struggle.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did well to parry a deflected Barrenetxea strike, but he could not keep out the forward’s next effort, surprising the Belgian at his near post.
Los Blancos’ defeat means Barcelona just need two more points to clinch their first title since 2019, providing Madrid win their remaining matches.
Bottom of the table Elche were relegated from LaLiga on with a 2-1 defeat at Almeria ensuring they cannot climb higher than 18th.
Leo Baptistao and Adri Embarba struck to take Almeria provisionally 14th, five points clear of the relegation zone, with Ezequiel Ponce pulling one back late on for the visitors.
Elche, 20th with just three wins all season, had delayed relegation at the weekend with a thumping 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
The east coast club were promoted back to LaLiga in 2020, finishing 17th and 13th in the two subsequent seasons.
Elche sacked coach Francisco Rodriguez in October, replacing him with Jorge Almiron, who lasted less than a month.
Pablo Machin took over but Elche sacked him too in March, appointing current incumbent Sebastian Beccacece, who could not keep them up.
