Barcelona reclaimed second place in LaLiga with a 2-0 residence win over Actual Sociedad on Monday courtesy of a Lamine Yamal first-half strike and a late Raphinha penalty.

Xavi Hernandez’s facet leapfrogged Girona to maneuver on to 76 factors, one away from their Catalan rivals who dropped factors in Friday’s 2-2 draw at Alaves.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Actual Madrid have already secured the league title, sitting on 90 factors with three video games left.

“There may be nonetheless a protracted method to go. It will likely be a battle to the top. Girona are very sturdy,” Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez informed Movistar.

“It is in our fingers now. I believe the crew is superb. Three precious factors. We had some errors within the first half. Within the second half I believe we might have completed it off earlier.”

Yamal put Barcelona forward within the fortieth minute when he coolly slotted residence from Ilkay Gundogan’s cross after a fast breakaway for his fifth LaLiga purpose this season.

“It was an essential sport to regain second place and we’ve to attempt to make it a nine-point week,” the 16-year-old Yamal stated referring to the upcoming video games.

“Actual did very properly within the first half however then we had been capable of enhance. There was good feeling in the entire crew.”

Raphinha’s penalty in stoppage time sealed victory for the hosts after a VAR overview for handball, leaving the Basque facet in seventh place with 54 factors, one behind Actual Betis within the final Europa League spot.

“Actual all the time make it troublesome for us. They’re all the time very organised, aggressive, you do not create hazard for them,” Xavi informed reporters. “It is an essential victory for us. We performed a superb sport generally.”