Barcelona move closer to La Liga title as Villarreal clinches Champions League spot
FC Barcelona moved within touching distance of the La Liga crown on Saturday night, grinding out a 2-1 away victory over Osasuna in a result that leaves the title race all but over.
Sunday May 3, 2026
FC Barcelona moved within touching distance of the La Liga crown on Saturday night, grinding out a 2-1 away victory over Osasuna in a result that leaves the title race all but over.
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Locked in by a stubborn home defense for much of the contest, Barcelona finally found a breakthrough in the 81st minute when Robert Lewandowski steered in a Marcus Rashford delivery. Five minutes later, Ferran Torres finished off Fermin Lopez’s through ball to put the visitors in command.
Raul Garcia halved the deficit with an 88th-minute header, but Barcelona stayed on course and will be crowned champions unless Real Madrid wins away to Espanyol on Sunday.
Villarreal booked their place in next season’s Champions League and moved closer to confirming third place with a resounding 5-1 home win over Levante, a result that dealt a major setback to the visitors’ battle for survival.
Georges Mikautadze pounced on a poor back pass to open the scoring, and although Carlos Espi drew Levante level in the 51st minute, Alberto Moleiro restored Villarreal’s advantage shortly after the hour. Mikautadze then struck again before late goals from Tajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pepe turned the match into a rout.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone made sweeping changes, resting nearly all of his usual starters ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Arsenal, yet his side still left Valencia with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from youngsters Iker Luque and Miguel Cubo. Valencia, still stuck in the relegation scrap, was booed off by its own supporters.
Athletic Bilbao kept its European hopes alive with a 4-2 comeback victory at Alaves on a day when coach Ernesto Valverde marked his 500th match in charge. Antonio Blanco and Nahuel Tenaglia twice gave the hosts the lead, but Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet answered each time before Nico Williams, back to his best after pelvic problems, scored twice to finish the job.
On Friday, Mallorca claimed a crucial 1-0 away win over Girona, with Samu Costa’s powerful header lifting them further clear of danger, while injury-hit Girona struggled to create chances without striker Vladislav Vanat.