Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves
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E-mail Xinhua, April 24, 2019
FC Barcelona moved to within just one win of assuring this season's Liga Santander on Tuesday night thanks to a 2-0 win away to Alaves.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde rested players such as Clement Lenglet, Ivan Rakitic and also Leo Messi, with Arturo Vidal, Samuel Umtiti, Nelson Semedo and Carles Alena all in his starting 11.
Barca controlled the ball in the first half but failed to open the scoring until the 54th minute when Alena scored with a left-foot shot from the middle of the area following a pass from Sergi Roberto.
Suarez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after handball by Alaves midfielder Tomas Pina, which the referee gave after consulting with the VAR.
The win means that Barca will be crowned this season's champions if they beat struggling Levante at home in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday, but they could be champions as soon as Wednesday if Atletico Madrid lose their game at home to Valencia.
Tuesday's two remaining matches were significant in the battle against relegation with Huesca giving themselves a slim chance of survival and climbing off the bottom of the table with a 2-0 win at home to Eibar.
Two goals in three second half minutes from Enrich Gallego and Chimy Avila in the 54th and 57th minutes lifted Huesca above Rayo Vallecano (who play in Sevilla on Wednesday) and leave them five points from safety with four games left to play.
Valladolid climbed out of the bottom three with a 1-0 win at home to Girona. Michel's 67th minute goal separated the two sides and leave Girona fourth from bottom with 34 points, one more than Levante, who drop into the bottom three, but have a home game against Betis on Wednesday.
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