Pedri‘s strike earned Barcelona a battling 1-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday to maneuver 11 factors away from second-placed Actual Madrid on the high of La Liga. The champions, who gained the Membership World Cup on Saturday, face Elche in midweek to attempt to chew again into the rising hole. Earlier Memphis Depay scored his first Atletico Madrid aim as Diego Simeone’s facet beat Celta Vigo 1-0 to consolidate their place in fourth. Barcelona rode their luck in a gripping conflict at Estadio de la Ceramica however held off a Yellow Submarine onslaught to proceed marching in direction of their aim of successful the title for the primary time since 2019.

Defender Ronald Araujo particularly made quite a few excellent blocks and interceptions to assist shield Barcelona’s slim benefit till the tip, locking in one other clear sheet.

Barcelona have shut out opponents 16 instances in 21 league video games this season, conceding simply seven targets.

“The reality is we’re working actually exhausting (defensively),” Araujo informed Movistar.

“We needed to appropriate this from final season, when groups scored loads of targets in opposition to us, and it was exhausting for us to maintain clear sheets.

“We’re doing effectively on the again and the midfielders aren’t leaving areas, the forwards too. It is the fruit of (our) work.”

La Liga high scorer Robert Lewandowski missed two large possibilities for Barcelona.

Nonetheless the Polish worldwide, La Liga’s high scorer, made up for it with a cushioned move for Pedri to open the scoring after 18 minutes.

Barcelona original an excellent staff transfer, completed off by the 20-year-old midfielder for his fourth aim in seven video games throughout all competitions.

Jose Luis Morales ought to have levelled for Villarreal however didn’t join effectively with a volley and later fired vast when via on aim.

The hosts, who beat Actual Madrid in January, had been keen to assault the leaders and it led to an entertaining battle which ebbed and flowed from finish to finish.

The Catalans face Manchester United within the Europa League subsequent, on Thursday.

“There’s loads of factors left (to play for), there’s so lengthy to go,” stated Barca coach Xavi.

“The run is extraordinary however we will enhance issues. We’re environment friendly and really stable, to win these video games that are actually exhausting.”

Villarreal, eighth, have now misplaced three league video games in a row.

– Depay strikes –

Earlier Simeone’s Atletico, right down to 10 males after Stefan Savic’s pink card, had been outplayed by Celta however Depay reacted rapidly to spin and bury a unfastened ball within the 89th minute.

The Dutch ahead, signed from Barcelona in January, netted in La Liga for the primary time since September.

“It was an vital aim above all for the staff, and for him,” stated Simeone.

“He labored effectively this week, he wants minutes and can compete in coaching to get them.

“There’s competitors between the gamers and it is good that it is exhausting for us to determine (who performs).”

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a string of beautiful saves, whereas Celta striker Iago Aspas hit the crossbar from a free kick, because the hosts dominated at Balaidos.

Atletico defender Savic was dismissed within the seventieth minute for hauling down Swiss striker Haris Seferovic on the sting of the world.

Remarkably the Montenegrin defender has been dismissed thrice in his final 5 appearances throughout all competitions.

With Atletico out of European competitors and overwhelmed within the Copa del Rey by rivals Actual Madrid, securing Champions League soccer with a top-four end is their goal.

The cruel defeat leaves Celta Vigo provisionally 14th, unable so as to add a 3rd consecutive victory to their wins over Actual Betis and Athletic Bilbao.

Elsewhere Rayo Vallecano, sixth, had been unable to beat lowly Getafe in a Madrid derby, sharing a 1-1 draw, whereas Actual Valladolid and Osasuna drew 0-0.

Actual Sociedad, third, journey to face Espanyol on Monday.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

Yuzvendra Chahal Noticed With Spouse Dhanashree Verma At Airport