Barca on brink after tight win

Madrid, April 21

Barcelona are closing in on their eighth La Liga title in 11 years after Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba both scored in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. 

Victory means Barca now only have to beat Alaves on Tuesday and then Levante next Saturday to be crowned as champions at Camp Nou while three points against Alaves will be enough on its own if Atletico Madrid fall to Valencia on Wednesday.

Whether in three days or seven, it is now surely only a matter of time that Ernesto Valverde’s side successfully defend their trophy despite Atletico keeping the gap to nine points after they edged past Eibar earlier on Saturday. “We have to get it out of our heads that we are nine points clear,” Valverde said.  “We now have three days until we play again and it will be difficult.” 

Wrapping it up early, though, would allow Barcelona the luxury of focussing completely on the Champions League, which could give them an advantage over their semifinal opponents Liverpool, who are embroiled in a tight Premier League race with Manchester City.

But this was no stroll as Real Sociedad were level back on terms in the second half thanks to Juanmi’s equaliser, even though parity lasted less than two minutes.

Lionel Messi might not have scored but it was his cute pass that teed up the excellent Alba to score the winner after Lenglet had earlier powered in a header from Ousmane Dembele’s cross.

Barcelona stumbled out of the blocks this season but they are now tearing down the home straight. This was their 21st league game without defeat. 

Benzema hat-trick

Karim Benzema netted a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The Frenchman increased his tally to 21 league goals this season — the first time he has achieved the total since 2015-16 — and now has 10 goals in his last seven appearances. — Agencies

La liga points table

Team mat w d l pts

Barcelona 33 23 8 2 77

Atletico 33 20 8 5 68

Real 33 20 4 9 64