MADRID, April 21 -- FC Barcelona moved a step closer to the Spanish La Liga title thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Real Sociedad in the 33rd round of games this weekend.

Barca never reached the heights of last week's Champions League triumph against Manchester United as Real Sociedad defended well in the first half and pressed for an equalizer in the closing moments of the match.

It wasn't until the 44th minute that central defender Clement Lenglet headed Barca into the lead.

Real Sociedad drew level in the 62nd minute after Juanmi slid the ball home following a good pass from Mikel Merino, but Jordi Alba produced an almost immediate response to secure the points with a right-footed shot, although there was a moment of uncertainty as the referee used VAR to confirm that Ousmane Dembele had not obstructed the view of visiting keeper Geronimo Rulli.

The win means Barca need just six more points to assure the title, which will happen next weekend if they beat Alaves on Tuesday and Levante next Saturday.

Atletico Madrid remain in second and nine points behind Barca thanks to Thomas Lemar's late winner away to Eibar as Diego Simeone's side showed they can get by without the suspended Antoine Griezmann.

Real Madrid took a morale boosting 3-0 win at home to Athletic Bilbao, as striker Karim Benzema took advantage of Athletic missing their two injured right-backs and two horrible errors from keeper Iago Herrerin to score a hat-trick to continue his excellent run of form.

【体坛英语资讯：Barca move closer to title, Celta back to safety in Spain】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federer, Djokovic roll into semifinals

★ 体坛英语资讯：Germany, Croatia smash rivals dreams at Euro 2008

★ 体坛英语资讯：Embattled Chinese womens coach tries to keep grip

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beckham says hes fit for England selection

★ 体坛英语资讯：Guga says goodbye to tennis world

★ 体坛英语资讯：Wenger signals that Lehmann can leave for right offer

★ 体坛英语资讯：Austrian goalkeeper Payer to miss UEFA 2008 due to illness

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federer reaches first final of 2008 in clay event

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yao Ming has no plan to have babies

★ 体坛英语资讯：Boston Celtics keep grip on East