Goals from Neymar and Pedro saw Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday.
Barca are now the overwhelming favourites to win this season's title after Real Madrid dropped two points against Valencia in the later match - leaving Barca with a four-point lead at the summit with just two games remaining.
Sociedad, meanwhile, remain in the bottom half of the table on 43 points.
As it stands, this round of La Liga fixtures are the only confirmed matches in Spain's top flight before the end of the season. All Spanish football competitions will be suspended on May 16 amid a strike that relates to TV rights. The Spanish Football Federation are in a disagreement with the government, but there is hope that the situation will be rectified over the next week.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two teams.
Match statistics
BARCELONA
Shots: 15
On target: 8
Possession: 65%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 9
SOCIEDAD
Shots: 5
On target: 1
Possession: 35%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
There is no question that Sociedad made it difficult for Barcelona - more so than the home side would have expected. However, when taking into account what actually occurred at the Camp Nou, it is difficult to argue that Barca did not deserve to claim all three points. One look at the statistics will demonstrate that Barcelona had seven more attempts on target than Sociedad, who only tested Claudio Bravo in the latter stages. In truth, the hosts should have been three or four goals ahead at the interval, but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping meant that the scores were level after 45 minutes.
Barcelona struck in the 51st minute, however, when Lionel Messi, who was a threat all game, set up Neymar. At 1-0, Sociedad were always in the game and had some decent moments in the final third, but the fact that they only managed one attempt on target is an indication of what occurred. The Camp Nou was more nervy than it might have been late on, but Pedro's overhead kick late on made sure of the points for Barcelona, who now look certain to lift the La Liga title this season ahead of their great rivals Real Madrid.
Barcelona's performance
Barca boss Luis Enrique made five changes to his XI from their Champions League exploits, with Bravo, Marc Bartra, Adriano, Rafinha and Xavi all starting at the Camp Nou. Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez continued in attack, however, and in truth, it was a team that ultimately proved too strong for Sociedad. It could have been 2-0 inside 10 minutes, with Suarez and Messi both coming close with headers, but neither could find the back of the net. Messi was again denied by Geronimo Rulli in the 12th minute and that was the pattern for long stages of the half, with Rulli also denying Gerard Pique from close range. Sociedad simply did not have a sniff in the first 45 minutes, but excellent defending made it a frustrating first period.
The hosts emerged for the second period with a lot of purpose, however, with Rulli denying Bartra from a header, which looked to be finding the back of the net. Neymar opened the scoring in the 51st minute, however, when he headed a super Messi cross into the back of the net. In truth, clear opportunities were few and far between as the second period developed, but Barcelona were always comfortable defensively. The pressure was eased in the 85th minute when Pedro found the back of the net, which ensured that they would claim another vital three points. Barcelona, if the dispute in Spain is rectified, will travel to Atletico Madrid in the league next weekend. Enrique's side can lose at the Vicente Calderon and still win the title with victory over Deportivo La Coruna in their final game of the season.
Sociedad's performance
Sociedad ended a six-game losing run with victory over Levante last time out and in truth, their season has just tailed off in recent months. Head coach David Moyes has top scorer Carlos Vela fit and available, but the Mexican really lacked support at the Camp Nou as Moyes went for a five-man midfield. For long spells, they did frustrate Barcelona, but that was mainly due to the home side's own misgivings rather than excellent defending. Markel Bergara had a decent opportunity 10 minutes before the break, but the Spaniard fired over the crossbar from inside the box. It was 0-0 at the break, but it was always the type of game where Sociedad needed to open the scoring and when that did not occur, their task was always going to be difficult.
Clear chances were few and far between - for both teams - in the second period, but Barca's threat in the final third eventually made the difference. Sociedad can be fairly pleased with their performance as a whole, especially when considering what Barcelona have been handing out score-wise in recent months. However, the fact that they only managed one attempt on target was a disappointment. Indeed, that attempt did not come until the final moments when Alfred Finnbogason tested Bravo from inside the box. Inigo Martinez had a super game at the heart of the Sociedad defence and the fact that their best player was a centre-back is an indication of what occurred. It was never a game that they looked capable of winning.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Lionel Messi: For once, the Argentine was not on the scoresheet. However, he set up the opening goal with a wonderful cross and the attacker was once again the best player on the field. Sociedad just could not cope when Messi had possession in a deep area. He might well be in the form of his life at the moment.
Biggest gaffe
It is maybe a touch harsh to criticise Sociedad for their defending, but the visitors did make it quite simple for Neymar to head Barcelona into the lead. Messi had all sorts of time to whip a cross towards the back post and Neymar was allowed to ghost into the area completely unmarked. Ultimately, mistakes of that magnitude are punished at this level of football.
Referee performance
Barcelona were not best pleased with referee Ignacio Iglesias at the interval following a couple of strong penalty shouts, but overall, the official had a good game. Six yellows were issued - five for Sociedad - but it was not really a game that threatened to boil over. Iglesias can be content with his work at the Camp Nou.
What next?
Barcelona: Barca will take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. If the dispute in Spain is sorted, they will then travel to Atletico Madrid next Sunday.
Sociedad: Sociedad, who will want to finish in the top half of the table, are due to face Granada next Sunday, but as it stands, there are no confirmed games in Spain's top flight.
Matt Law
