Barcelona defender Jordi Alba came off the bench to strike late and secure a 1-0 victory over a 10-man Osasuna at Camp Nou on Tuesday as the home side moved a step closer to clinching their 27th La Liga title.
Barca moved to 82 points from 33 matches and extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Real Madrid, who lost to fourth-place Real Sociedad later on Tuesday.
Barca will have the chance to clinch the crown with a win in their next game at city rivals Espanyol on May 14.
With only five games remaining, Real would only be able to reach 83 points if they win them all.
Barca missed a string of chances against a dogged Osasuna who defended with tenacity while playing much of the match with 10 men.
Following defender Jorge Herrando's red card for a foul that prevented Pedri from scoring midway through the first half, Osasuna managed to hang on until the 85th minute, when Robert Lewandowski crossed to Frenkie de Jong, who nodded the ball to Alba who hit a left-footed strike into the net.
"It was an important step because we suffered too much (in trying) to break the deadlock," coach Xavi Hernandez told DAZN.
"We missed some very clear opportunities. And then came Jordi's goal, which almost makes it better to win like that.
"We lacked effectiveness but it a summary of the season, struggling to score the many chances we create, but we played with hunger and I think we deserved to win.
"The league is almost over. That's the sensation after winning the last two games. It was a giant step."
Madrid stunned
Second-placed Real Madrid suffered a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad after being reduced to 10 men early in the second half , leaving Barcelona on the brink of the title.
Real rested several key players, including Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, as they prepare for the Copa del Rey final on Saturday against Osasuna and next week's Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Manchester City.
They were also without the suspended Vinicius Jr and never looked dangerous as Sociedad took control early in game.
"The fans should not doubt us ..." defender Nacho told Movistar Plus. "In the next ten days we have the most important thing at stake... and at the beginning of the season we all would have signed up to be like this at this point."
