BARCELONA, Spain – Jordi Alba scored a last-gasp winner to snatch Barcelona a 2-1 win at Real Betis in the Spanish La Liga, dealing a blow to the host’s hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona strengthened its hold on second place in the Spanish league behind newly crowned champion Real Madrid, which clinched the title last weekend. Betis remained in fifth place.
Ansu Fati, who had just recently returned from another long injury layoff, broke the deadlock in the 77th from a pass by Alba just one minute after he went on, AP reported.
Betis looked set to salvage a crucial point in its top-four quest for a Champions League berth when Marc Bartra equalized in the 80th.
But Alba smashed home a left-footed volley from a cross by Dani Alves deep in stoppage time. The referee blew the whistle just seconds after play restarted.
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