Barcelona took full advantage of Real Madrid’s stumble against Espanyol, securing a crucial 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou, thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s second-half strike.
The win lifted Barcelona to 45 points, just four behind league leaders Real Madrid, who had suffered a shock defeat the previous day.
It also put them within touching distance of second-placed Atletico Madrid as the title race heated up.
Hansi Flick’s team started with intent, nearly breaking the deadlock within four minutes. A dazzling run from Lamine Yamal set up Raphinha, but the Brazilian’s effort from close range missed the target.
The first half, however, was largely uneventful, aside from a worrying clash of heads between Gavi and Tomas Conechny, which forced both players to leave the field.
Lewandowski came close with a left-footed shot that drifted wide, while Alaves goalkeeper Jesus Owono was largely untroubled before halftime.
Barcelona pressed on after the break, with Yamal testing Owono with a fierce effort that the shot-stopper did well to tip over the bar.
Their persistence paid off just past the hour mark when Yamal’s deflected cross landed perfectly for Lewandowski, who instinctively buried it with a first-time finish from inside the box.
Once in front, the Blaugrana managed the game well, securing their 15th league win of the season and keeping their title aspirations alive.
Knowing that Madrid had slipped up, Barcelona seized the opportunity, with Lewandowski stepping up once again.
His decisive goal was his 18th in LaLiga this season and marked his 60th league goal in just 90 appearances for the club, an achievement bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo (61 games) and Luis Suarez (66 games) in reaching that milestone.
Lewandowski also set another record, netting the opening goal of a LaLiga match for a league-best seventh time this season. His strike was made possible by the exceptional Yamal, who put in a historic performance.
Yamal attempted 21 dribbles against Alaves (completing 11), the highest by any Barcelona player in a LaLiga game since at least 2005-06.
The previous best was 20 by Lionel Messi against Mallorca in April 2007. Yamal also led the game in chance creation, setting up three opportunities for his teammates.
