Barcelona 1-0 Osasuna: Jordi Alba strike brings LaLiga title within reach

Barcelona are closing in on the LaLiga title after beating Osasuna 1-0 at Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday. 

Substitute Jordi Alba struck the winning goal in the 85th minute as Barca finally broke down the visitors, who had played for over an hour with 10 men. 

The victory takes Barca 14 points clear of Real Madrid, who play Real Sociedad later on Tuesday, with just five points from five games needed to win the league for the first time since 2019. 

Xavi Hernandez picked the same side which beat Real Betis at the weekend but they could not find a way through early on. 

The game seemed to swing in their favour when Jorge Herrando was sent off after 30 minutes for pulling Pedri down after a good pass from Frenkie de Jong. 

However, Barça could not take advantage of the numerical advantage, despite bringing Ansu Fati on for Gavi, who had a minor knock, to add more attacking impetus. 

Chances came and went. De Jong, Ansu, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and Ronald Araujo all missed and it looked like Osasuna, who came close with a couple of long-range efforts, might hold on. 

Alba came off the bench to make sure they did not, though, turning home at the near post after De Jong had nudged the ball into his path. 

For Barça, it was a goal that brought the title within reach; for Osasuna, all attention is now on the weekend and a Copa del Rey final date with Real Madrid.