Jordi Alba and Ansu Fati scored superb goals with which Barcelona beat Betis 2-1 on Saturday in La Liga to secure their qualification for the next edition of the Champions League.
Alba scored the winning goal with a masterful left-foot volley, when the last minute of injury time was played.
Fati opened the scoring in the 76th minute, a minute after entering, when he received a pass on the balcony of the area and took a shot that slipped near the post as it passed between three defenders.
Marc Bartra scored the goal of momentary equality with a header from the heart of the area to the center of Nabil Fekir in the 79th minute.
Barcelona reached 69 points to consolidate itself in 2nd position and make sure not to drop below fourth position, which distributes tickets to the Champions League.
Since last week, the Catalan team has been without options to fight for the league against Real Madrid (81), who secured the title with four games to go.
“Barcelona always have to fight for all the goals,” Alba said. “After not winning the league, the goal was to qualify for the Champions League and now also finish second to go to the Super Cup.”
Betis, recent champion of the Copa del Rey, was left with 58 units in 5th position, and continues in the fight to qualify for the Champions League with Sevilla (64) and Atlético de Madrid (61), who will hold on Sunday their duels for matchday 35 against Villarreal and Real Madrid, respectively.
Fati showed his effectiveness after seeing action for the second consecutive duel after missing 21 days due to constant injuries. Despite the damage, he celebrated his fourth goal of the course and the sixth of the season.
Until before the entry of the young star, the culé team was ineffective, their best option being a header from defender Ronald Araujo that crashed into the crossbar in the first half.
Ferran Torres also had the opportunity to score when he was in front of the goal after a defensive error, but goalkeeper Rui Silva —who came on in the 17th minute for Claudio Bravo— avoided the goal with his leg in the second half.
Chilean strategist Manuel Pellegrini’s team also had options to take the lead with a shot from Guido Rodríguez, who hit the post in the first half, and approaches from Juami Jiménez, saved by substitute goalkeeper Neto in the second half.
When the duel looked to end in a draw, Dani Alves took a stroke from the right sector to the other side upon the arrival of Alba, who kicked with his left foot and unleashed euphoria on the Barça bench.
Before the duel, the culé squad paid tribute to the Betis by making a corridor for them led by coach Xavi Hernández, after the Albiverdes were crowned in the Copa del Rey.
Betis missed the opportunity to win for the first time in the history of La Liga in both duels of the tournament against Barcelona, after winning the first round 1-0. The Betis extended their winless streak at their Benito Villamarín stadium against the Catalans, which dates back to 2008.
GRENADE ROLLS
Granada’s offense exploded with five goals in the second half to crush Mallorca 6-2 away, in a duel between those involved in the relegation zone.
Luis Suárez put Granada in front after six minutes, to which the Balearic side responded with a goal from Salva Sevilla (28′) to go into the break level.
On the way back, the feast of goals from Granada came through Sergio Escudero (46′), Antonio Puertas (55′), Jorge Molina (69′, 90′) and Myrto Uzuni (78′). The locals only cut with one more from Antonio Raillo (58 ‘).
Granada threaded its third day without defeat to take a breather thinking about salvation by having 34 units in 17th position; Mallorca is in the relegation zone as 18th with 32 points.
“We were a disaster and when this happens, the only thing that occurs to me is to apologize, the fans go home sad because of us,” said Javier Aguirre, Mallorca’s Mexican coach.
CÁDIZ LEAVES THE RESCENT ZONE
With three goals down the stretch, Cádiz thrashed Elche 3-0 at home to fuel their hopes of retaining their place in the top flight.
Álvaro Negredo (80′), Rubén Sobrino (83′) and Anthony Lozano (90′+3′) scored the goals for the Cadiz team, which climbed to 16th position with 35 units. Elche stagnated in 13th place with 39 units.
ALAVÉS STILL IN THE BACKGROUND
Thiago Galhardo (6′), Iago Aspas (34′, 66′) and an own goal by Ximo Navarro (57′) paved the way for Celta de Vigo’s 4-0 win over Alavés, with fewer and fewer options not to be one of the three teams that descend at the end of the course.
The Galician team is in 11th position with 43 units, while Alavés was bottom with 28.
In another result, Athletic Bilbao tied 0-0 with Valencia, with which the Basque team is 7th with 52 points; the orange team is 10th with 44.