…Barcelona are on the verge of securing a first La Liga title in four years after securing a late win against Osasuna at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening.
The champions-elect Barcelona needed an 85th-minute winner from Jordi Alba to see off a much-changed Osasuna, who are preparing for Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
The visitors had Jorge Herrando sent off for a professional foul midway through the first half. Despite their numerical advantage, the Catalan club failed to find a breakthrough until Alba’s 85th-minute winner.
Jordi Alba’s late strike saw Barcelona take another huge step towards the title by beating 10-man Osasuna 1-0 at Camp Nou in La Liga.
The visitors put in a belligerent and heroic defensive display after having Jorge Herrando sent off, but were eventually worn down as they slipped to defeat, Eurosport reports.
The hosts dominated possession right from the first whistle, but they found a compact and well organised back five tough to break down.
The turning point in the game was therefore when debutant Jorge Herrando was sent off for a professional foul after hauling down Pedri when he raced through on goal.
Even so, it took until after the break for Barca to start truly threatening Aitor Hernandez’s goal, with the keeper forced into an excellent stop from Frenkie de Jong, before substitute Ousmane Dembele somehow fired wide.
At the other end, ter Stegen made a terrific low save from Iker Munoz, before Barca thought they had taken the lead when Lewandowski bundled home from close range, only for the strike to be ruled out as Ferran Torres was offside when the cross came into the box.
With the game appearing to drift towards a draw, Alba stepped up to clatter home with the outside of his boot in the box, handing Barca another precious three points.
This was the 13th time Barcelona have won ‘to nil’ at home in La Liga this season
Osasuna have now won just one of their last 14 games against Barcelona
