Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres scored in the final minutes as Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory at Osasuna on Saturday, leaving Hansi Flick’s side on the verge of claiming the Spanish league title this weekend.
Barcelona opened up a 14-point gap over Real Madrid with four matches remaining. Madrid must beat Espanyol on Sunday to prevent Barcelona from clinching its second consecutive La Liga crown. A Madrid win would extend the title race at least one more week, setting up another Clásico when Barcelona hosts its rival at Camp Nou.
“We did our job and that’s what I value about my team,” Flick said in his post-match press conference. “We defended well against a very strong side. I’m very happy with the win.”
Substitute Marcus Rashford picked out Lewandowski, who powered home a header in the 81st minute. Torres added a second goal five minutes later before Raúl García pulled one back for Osasuna in the 89th.
Between wrapping it up now or doing so with a win over Madrid at home, Torres said he would be fine celebrating from the couch on Sunday if Madrid slips up against Espanyol.
Flick said his players were celebrating in the locker room at El Sadar Stadium.
“The important thing was to win today and tomorrow doesn’t depend on us,” he added. “We have to wait and see. It’s a good situation. If we win the title tomorrow we will celebrate.”
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García made two key saves in the first half to keep the score level, while Osasuna’s Ante Budimir hit the post before halftime. It was just the third home league loss of the season for 10th-placed Osasuna.
Atletico Wins Ahead of Arsenal Clash Atletico Madrid rested most of its starters but still beat Valencia 2-0 with goals from academy players ahead of its Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal.
Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sorloth and Giuliano Simeone — who finished the midweek 1-1 draw with Arsenal carrying knocks — were among those left out. Atletico travels to London on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone called up nine youth players for the trip to Valencia. Iker Luque and Miguel Cubo came off the bench to score in the 73rd and 82nd minutes at Mestalla Stadium.
Defender Nahuel Molina came close to one of the goals of the season with a rocket from near the center circle that struck the woodwork.
Atletico stayed in fourth place, on track for another Champions League spot. Valencia sat 13th and remained in relegation danger.
Coaching Milestones Simeone reached 1,000 games as a manager, with 795 at Atletico since taking over in 2011. Ernesto Valverde hit 500 matches with Athletic Bilbao in their 4-2 win over Alaves, with Nico Williams scoring twice. Both are club records.
Villarreal Secures Champions League Spot Villarreal guaranteed a top-four finish and a second straight season in Europe’s elite club competition after thrashing Levante 5-1. Georges Mikautadze scored twice for third-placed Villarreal.