Barcelona on brink of La Liga triumph after 2-0 win at Getafe

Goals from Fermín López and Marcus Rashford took Barcelona to the brink of the La Liga title with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday. The defending champions moved 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid, who drew with Real Betis on Friday to further dent their hopes of finishing the season with a trophy.

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Hansi Flick’s side can clinch their second consecutive Spanish title if they overcome Osasuna next weekend and Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol.

Barcelona were without injured wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha but still managed to see off José Bordalás’s side in the Madrid suburbs. Getafe initially disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm with frequent fouls, making it difficult for the visitors to create clear opportunities.

Dani Olmo created the first real opening with a neat dribble into Getafe territory but pulled his shot wide of the far post.

The breakthrough finally came just before half-time. Pau Cubarsí won a tackle in midfield, allowing Pedri to play an exquisite through ball to López. Wearing a protective mask after a collision with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso during Barcelona’s Champions League exit last week, López stayed calm to slot home into the bottom corner.

The midfielder celebrated by imitating Yamal’s “304” gesture as a tribute to his injured teammate.

With Getafe forced to attack in search of an equalizer, Barcelona found more space after the break. David Soria saved a goal-bound effort from Olmo following a Jules Koundé cross, while Koundé himself later headed a João Cancelo delivery narrowly off-target.

After Martín Satriano threatened for the hosts, Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, secured the victory.

Robert Lewandowski sent the England international charging through on goal, and he slipped a low effort past Soria in the 74th minute to help Barcelona put one hand on the trophy.