Barcelona took another big step toward the UEFA Champions League as Memphis Depay and Sergio Busquets scored the brilliant goals in a 2-1 LaLiga victory over Real Mallorca.
Seeking to avoid a home defeat for the fourth time in a row, the Blaugrana silenced a shocking Camp Nou crowd with Depay’s volley in the first half on Sunday.
Busquets fired a low effort past Sergio Rico and the Catalan giants clung to victory despite Antonio Raillo’s goal in the 79th minute.
After being forced to watch rivals Real Madrid win the title on Saturday, Xavi’s side at least looks set to join the Champions League next season after returning to second place.
Rico was forced to save us well after five minutes, swinging to his right to turn around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal, before Fer Nino squandered a fine chance from the visitors as he shot from the back post from close range.
Ronald Araujo saw a powerful goal in the 22nd-minute offside, but Blaugrana took the lead three minutes later when Depay tossed the lower-left corner after controlling Jordi Alba’s ball at the top.
The athletes lost Gerard Pique to injury before the break but doubled their gains after 54 minutes when the Busquets pulled the effort left in the lower right corner after running on a loose ball at the edge of the area.
Depay came close to scoring another fine goal when he shot in a small space after dancing in the middle of the field of play before Barça had another VAR goal from behind Ferran Torres’ shot against Aubameyang offside.
Xavi gave Ansu Fati his first appearance since November off the bench, as the athletes clung to a crucial victory despite Raillo driving home Salva Sevilla’s home ball.
