Left-back Jordi Alba scored a 94th-minute volley in Barcelona’s 2-1 against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in LaLiga on May 7. Three points from this fixture confirm the Catalans’ spot in the Champions League next season as they continue with their bid to finish runners-up in La Liga.
Xavi’s men required a spectacular half volley from Alba in injury time to claim an away victory over Betis. Alba’s goal, which found the far corner, helped Barcelona secure another three points. That means the Blagurana now have an 11-point lead over Real Betis in fifth place and are guaranteed a finish in the top four.
However, Barcelona will be gunning to secure the runners-up position after Real Madrid already wrapped up league victory this season. It has been a massive achievement for the Catalan side, who were ninth in the league at one point and were in real danger of missing out on Champions League spots.
Young starlet Ansu Fati returned from injury in the previous clash against Mallorca. The 19-year-old came off the bench once again here as Xavi prefers being cautious with his return. However, the new Barcelona no. 10 broke the deadlock with a terrific strike from inside the box that fooled the opposition keeper. This was Fati’s first goal since January.
Despite the highs of that important goal, Barca suffered a setback almost immediately. Centre-back Marc Bartra headed home from a corner routine just three minutes later to restore parity.
There was plenty of drama in store in the dying embers of the game. Dani Alves trapped the ball at 20 yards away from the box and played the perfect cross to Alba, making an overlapping run into the box from the left flank.
The Spaniard couldn’t have struck the ball any sweeter and he scored his second goal in the league this season to secure top-four finish for Barcelona.
“It’s a weight off our shoulders. It could have been an even tougher season but the team has competed well since we arrived in November. We’re in the Champions League, a competition we deserve to be in, now we want to finish second.”
Xavi said in his post-match interview, as per Marca.
Barcelona have a five-point lead over Sevilla in third place, although the Julen Lopetegi’s side have a game in hand and will face Villarreal on Sunday.
