BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski struck just before halftime to give the league leaders a 2-0 home win over lowly Cadiz on Sunday in their pursuit of a 27th Spanish title.

Elsewhere Antoine Griezmann’s superb strike helped Atletico Madrid earn a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao to tighten their grip on fourth place.

Unbeaten in their last 18 matches in all competitions, Barcelona extended their La Liga winning streak to seven games, piling pressure on rivals Real Madrid.

Barca top La Liga on 59 points, eight clear of second-placed Real. Barcelona have never lost a title race when leading by eight points or more.

Cadiz are 17th on 22 points, two above Valencia in the relegation zone.

With an eye on their Europa League playoff at Manchester United on Thursday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg, manager Xavi Hernandez made six changes in his starting line-up, but his side showed no signs of slowing down.

It was a largely one-sided contest at the Camp Nou stadium, with Barca never looking likely to cede control despite allowing their opponents a few chances to score, including two goals ruled out and two strikes off the post.

Roberto netted a close-range, first-touch strike in the 43rd minute from the rebound of a diving header by Lewandowski after Ferran Torres dribbled past three defenders to cross the ball.

Lewandowski extended Barca’s lead right on halftime by slotting home a low shot from just inside the box.

Earlier, Atletico’s victory over Athletic helped them cut the gap on third place Real Sociedad to two points, after the Basque side drew on Saturday.

Griezmann made the difference in a tight clash after 73 minutes when he combined with Memphis Depay.

The pair exchanged passes and Griezmann drove into the box to net his seventh league goal of the season.

Rayo Vallecano and visitors Sevilla shared a 1-1 draw, with the hosts, sixth, unable to exert maximum pressure on the sides above them in the quest to secure European football next season.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side took the lead when Suso’s effort from distance deflected in off Oscar Valentin, but Florian Lejeune headed home from a corner to level.

Sergi Darder’s late strike snat­ched Espanyol a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Elche.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2023