European roundup: Barça close in on La Liga title after late win against Osasuna

Barcelona are just one win away from winning La Liga after their 1-0 victory over Osasuna was followed by Real Madrid losing 2-0 away to Real Socieded.

The results combined mean that Xavi Hernández’s side can claim their 27th Spanish title in their next league game on Sunday 14 May at the home of their city rivals Espanyol.

Barça defender Jordi Alba came off the bench to strike late on and secure the victory over a 10-man Osasuna at Camp Nou. They moved to 82 points from 33 matches and extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Real Madrid.

Barça 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 in turn hit a left-footed strike into the net.

“It was an important step because we suffered too much [in trying] to break the deadlock,” said Xavi. “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 is 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.”

Barca’s profligacy started before Herrando’s red card, with Pedri missing a sitter from close range in the 25th minute. Raphinha sent a free-kick wide from the edge of the box and Xavi had to bring Ansu Fati off the bench a little later for an injured Gavi.

Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Ansu Fati and Lewandowski all missed clear chances, while the Polish striker also had a goal ruled out by VAR due to an offside in the build-up in the 78th minute. With the game looking destined to end goalless, Alba ghosted behind the defence to score a clever shot between the goalkeeper and the right post to edge Barça closer to the title.

In the German Cup, RB Leipzig hammered Freiburg 5-1 to book their place in the final, where they will meet either Eintracht Frankfurt or Stuttgart.

Leipzig took a 4-0 lead, including a goal by Christopher Nkunku, who will join Chelsea this summer, before Josko Gvardiol was sent off and Freiburg got one back. However Dominik Szoboszlai scored his second of the night deep in stoppage time to round off the win.