Lewandowski and Torres strike late as Barcelona close in on La Liga title

Key facts

• Barcelona defeated Osasuna 2-1 on Saturday at El Sadar.
• Robert Lewandowski scored the equalizer in the 81st minute.
• Ferran Torres added a second goal in the 86th minute.
• Raúl García pulled one back for Osasuna in the 89th minute.
• Barcelona now leads Real Madrid by 14 points with four games remaining.
• A Real Madrid loss or draw to Espanyol on Sunday would hand Barcelona the title.
• Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García made two key saves in the first half.
• Osasuna suffered only its third home defeat of the season.

Late flurry decides tense encounter in Pamplona

Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres scored in the final ten minutes to snatch a 2-1 victory for Barcelona at Osasuna on Saturday, moving the Catalan club to within one result of securing the La Liga title. The win at El Sadar extended Barcelona's lead over Real Madrid to 14 points with four matchdays remaining after this weekend. Substitute Marcus Rashford set up Lewandowski's equalizer in the 81st minute, delivering a cross that the Polish striker powered into the net with a firm header. Five minutes later, Torres doubled the lead, and though Osasuna's Raúl García headed one back in the 89th minute, Barcelona held on.

Title could be decided Sunday without Barcelona playing

Barcelona's commanding lead means that if Real Madrid fails to beat Espanyol on Sunday, the title will return to the Camp Nou with four games to spare. A Madrid victory would prolong the race by at least another week, setting up a decisive Clásico when Barcelona hosts Madrid next weekend. "We did our job and that's what I value about my team. We defended well against a very strong opponent. I'm very happy with the win," said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick in a press conference. Goalkeeper Joan García made two crucial saves in the first half to keep the score level, while Osasuna striker Ante Budimir hit the post before the break.

Players and coach react to crucial victory

Ferran Torres expressed indifference about how the title is clinched — whether by Madrid's slip on Sunday or by beating Madrid in the Clásico. "The important thing was to win today, and tomorrow doesn't depend on us. We have to wait and see; it's a good situation. If we win the title tomorrow, we'll celebrate it," Flick said, adding that his players were already celebrating in the dressing room at El Sadar. The victory was Barcelona's second consecutive league win and keeps them on track for a second straight La Liga crown.

Atlético Madrid rests starters ahead of Champions League semifinal

Elsewhere in La Liga, Atlético Madrid rested most of its first-choice players but still defeated Valencia 2-0, with goals from debutants. The win came ahead of Atlético's crucial Champions League semifinal second leg against Arsenal in London on Tuesday. Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sorloth, and Giuliano Simeone — who all finished Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal carrying knocks — were among those left out of the squad for the Valencia match. Atlético travels to London needing a positive result to reach the final.

Osasuna's strong home record dented

The defeat was only the third loss Osasuna has suffered at home in La Liga this season. The Pamplona-based side, currently tenth in the table, had proven difficult to beat at El Sadar, but Barcelona's late surge proved too much. Osasuna's resilience, however, was evident as they pushed until the final whistle and pulled a goal back through García.

The bottom line

• Barcelona can win La Liga on Sunday if Real Madrid fails to beat Espanyol.
• Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres scored decisive late goals to secure the 2-1 win at Osasuna.
• Barcelona holds a 14-point lead over Real Madrid with four games left.
• A Real Madrid win on Sunday would set up a title-deciding Clásico next weekend.
• Atlético Madrid rested key players ahead of its Champions League semifinal against Arsenal.
• Osasuna suffered only its third home defeat of the season.