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Barcelona on brink of La Liga triumph with Getafe win

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Barcelona on brink of La Liga triumph with Getafe win

Barcelona's English forward #14 Marcus Rashford celebrates his team's second goal with teammates during the Spanish league football match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at the Coliseum stadium in Getafe on April 25 , 2026. (AFP)

GETAFE: Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford's goals took Barcelona to the brink of the La Liga title with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday.


The defending champions moved 11 points clear of second place Real Madrid, who drew at Real Betis on Friday to dent their hopes of finishing the season with a trophy.


Hansi Flick's side can win their second consecutive Spanish title if they overcome Osasuna next weekend and Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol.


"It's not done, we have five more games and we're only focused on the next one," Flick told reporters.


"We will celebrate when it's time, but not now."


Barcelona were without vital injured wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha but still did enough to see off Jose Bordalas's tricky side, sixth, in the Madrid suburbs.


"We were aware of what was going to happen here, we were going to have few chances and I think we played well, competing well defensively and putting away the chances we had," Lopez told Movistar.


"We know we've got a big advantage (in the title race) but even so, we can't relax, I know it's a cliche but it's the truth."


Getafe set out to disrupt Barcelona's rhythm with small fouls and Barca struggled to create many clear opportunities.


Flick opted for Swedish winger Roony Bardghji in place of Yamal and chose Lopez on the left over Rashford.


Dani Olmo made the first with a neat dribble, speeding into Getafe territory, but pulled his shot wide of the far post.


Eventually the hosts made the breakthrough just before half-time when Pedri played in Lopez.


Wearing a protective mask after hurting his face in a collision with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso during Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final elimination last week, Lopez stayed calm to slot home.


The midfielder imitated Yamal's usual "304" celebration in tribute to the injured teenage star.


"The truth is he's really important for us, it's a shame that he can't play any more, but the important thing is that he recovers well and is ready for the World Cup," added Lopez.


With Getafe needing to come out of their shell to find an equaliser, Barca had more opportunities after the break.


David Soria saved from Olmo after he met Jules Kounde's cross, and then the French defender headed a Joao Cancelo ball narrowly off-target.