Leaders Barcelona could wrap up the La Liga title in their next game when facing neighbours Espanyol after substitute Jordi Alba struck an 85th-minute winner against 10-man Osasuna at the Nou Camp. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s slim hopes of defending the Spanish La Liga title were all but disturbed by a 2-0 defeat at Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad.
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The mid-table visitors had Jorge Herrando sent off less than half an hour into his debut for a professional foul on Pedri, this means it’s the seventh red card for Osasuna in La Liga this season.
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However, Osasuna stayed organised and frustrated their opponents until Alba’s winner with the outside of his foot.
The win moved Xavi’s side 14 points clear of Real Madrid with five games remaining.
At the same time, Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost 2-0 at Real Sociedad later on Tuesday, meaning Barca will seal a first title since 2019 if they beat Espanyol on 14 May.
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Osasuna made nine changes before their appearance in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid in Seville on Saturday.
Pedri, Ronald Araujo and substitute Ousmane Dembele all wasted chances, Raphinha went close with a free-kick, while Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati forced good saves from Aitor Fernandez.
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Barca, who had 15-year-old winger Lamine Yamal as an unused substitute, had a 79th-minute goal by Robert Lewandowski ruled out for offside before Alba’s late winner left the home fans in the 76,061 crowds celebrating.
Madrid’s slim hopes of regaining the Spanish La Liga title
Real Madrid’s slim hopes of regaining the Spanish La Liga title were all but extinguished by a 2-0 defeat at Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad.
After a tight first half, Real Madrid fell behind when Eder Militao sold Thibaut Courtois short with a backpass and Takefusa Kubo slid into an empty net.
Madrid’s frustrations spilt over as right-back Dani Carvajal was sent off for two bookings in quick succession.
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In a match where they needed to win to keep pressure on Barca, Madrid was without a host of key players – striker Karim Benzema, winger Vinicius Junior, midfielder Luka Modric and centre-back David Alaba – against fourth-placed Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
With the title looking out of reach, Madrid realise their best chances of silverware this season come elsewhere and already seemed to have an eye on Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna.
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Three days after that, they host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final
