European roundup: Barça close in on La Liga title after late win against Osasuna
Barcelona are 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 Sociedad.
The results mean they can claim their 27th Spanish title in their next league game on 14 May at the home of their city rivals Espanyol.
The Barça defender Jordi Alba came off the bench to strike late on and secure the victory over a 10-man Osasuna at the Camp Nou. They moved to 82 points from 33 matches and extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Real Madrid.
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Barça missed a chances against a dogged Osasuna who defended with tenacity while playing much of the match a man down. After defender Jorge Herrando’s red card for a foul that prevented Pedri from scoring midway through the first half, Osasuna hung 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-foot strike into the net.
“It was an important step because we suffered too much [in trying] to break the deadlock,” said Xavi Hernández. “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 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 from close range in the 25th minute. Raphinha sent a free-kick wide from the edge of the area and Xavi had to bring Ansu Fati off the bench later for the injured Gavi.
Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Ansu Fati and Lewandowski missed chances, while the Poland striker also had a goal ruled out by the VAR due to an offside in the buildup in the 78th minute. With the game looking destined to end goalless, Alba ghosted behind the defence to score.
Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad came after they were reduced to 10 men when defender Dani Carvajal was sent off early in the second half.

Take Kubo opened the scoring after the break by tapping into an empty net after a poor attempted pass from Éder Militão intended for the goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
After Carvajal was sent off on the hour for a second bookable offence, the hosts extended their lead in the 84th through Ander Barrenetxea.
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 tdeep in stoppage time.