Barcelona need just one more point to clinch their third straight Spanish league title after a 2-0 Catalan derby defeat of Espanyol on Sunday.
Spain World Cup heroes Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique scored for Barca, who are eight points ahead of Real Madrid with just three matches left.
On Saturday, Real enjoyed a 6-2 romp away to Sevilla, with league top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo banging in four goals.
Before the Catalan derby there was an emotional minute's silence for golf legend Severiano Ballesteros, a keen Barca fan, who died on Saturday, aged 54.
Iniesta put Barca ahead in the 29th minute by taking advantage of a mistake from Javi Lopez, and then beating Carlos Kameni with a low near-post dive.
David Villa, in poor form, should have extended Barca's lead on three occasions but missed each time.
Three minutes into the second half Pique made it 2-0 by heading in a Xavi centre from the left, after getting in front of defender Raul Rodriguez.
Barca never allowed Espanyol to come out of their defensive shell, enjoying their usual 75-per-cent possession, and could have scored more goals at the end.
The defeat leaves Espanyol in eighth place, with their dreams of snatching a Europa League berth in tatters.
Sunday's late game was due to bring together relegation strugglers Zaragoza and Osasuna.
Sunday's lunchtime match was a colourless 0-0 draw between midtable Mallorca and fourth-placed Villarreal, which leaves the yellows five points behind Valencia in the battle for third place and direct entry to the Champions League.
Spain World Cup heroes Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique scored for Barca, who are eight points ahead of Real Madrid with just three matches left.
On Saturday, Real enjoyed a 6-2 romp away to Sevilla, with league top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo banging in four goals.
Before the Catalan derby there was an emotional minute's silence for golf legend Severiano Ballesteros, a keen Barca fan, who died on Saturday, aged 54.
Iniesta put Barca ahead in the 29th minute by taking advantage of a mistake from Javi Lopez, and then beating Carlos Kameni with a low near-post dive.
David Villa, in poor form, should have extended Barca's lead on three occasions but missed each time.
Three minutes into the second half Pique made it 2-0 by heading in a Xavi centre from the left, after getting in front of defender Raul Rodriguez.
Barca never allowed Espanyol to come out of their defensive shell, enjoying their usual 75-per-cent possession, and could have scored more goals at the end.
The defeat leaves Espanyol in eighth place, with their dreams of snatching a Europa League berth in tatters.
Sunday's late game was due to bring together relegation strugglers Zaragoza and Osasuna.
Sunday's lunchtime match was a colourless 0-0 draw between midtable Mallorca and fourth-placed Villarreal, which leaves the yellows five points behind Valencia in the battle for third place and direct entry to the Champions League.
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