Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski scored just before half-time to give the league leaders a 2-0 home win over Cadiz on Sunday in their quest for a 27th Spanish title.
Unbeaten in their last 18 matches in all competitions, Barcelona extended their La Liga winning streak to seven games as they piled up the pressure on rivals Real Madrid with a 2-0 win at Osasuna on Saturday.
Barca top La Liga with 59 points, eight ahead of second-place Real and 16 above third-place Real Sociedad. Barcelona have never lost a title race with a lead of eight points or more.
Cadiz, who have won five of their 22 league games so far this season, are 17th with 22 points, two above Valencia and a game more in the relegation zone.
With an eye on the Europa League playoffs at Manchester United on Thursday after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg, manager Xavi Hernandez made six changes to his starting lineup but his side showed no signs of slowing down.
It was a largely one-sided contest at the Camp Nou stadium, with Barca unwilling to relinquish control despite giving their opponents few chances to score, including two goals denied and two strikes off the post.
“Scoring twice before the break gave us a comfortable lead, which practically sealed our victory in the second half,” Xavi told Movistar Plus. “Our first half was good and solid and I’m satisfied, although we got comfortable after the break.
“Maybe the team is a bit tired but we are happy because we maintained our eight-point lead at the top of the standings.”
Cadiz started in attacking form and had a Roger Marti goal disallowed for offside, before Barcelona took control on a fine night for Ferran Torres, who had the chance to score before Roberto was involved in the build-up to the goal. There were three occasions.
Roberto netted a close-range, first-touch strike in the 43rd minute off the rebound of a diving header by Lewandowski after Torres dribbled past three defenders to cross the ball.
Lewandowski extended Barca’s lead at half-time with a low shot from just inside the box.
The Poland striker almost scored again in the 57th when his shot hit the crossbar.
Barca then took their foot off the gas and allowed Cadiz to create chances. Another goal from Martí was disallowed for a foul while Christopher Ramos de la Flor and Choco Lozano both hit the post.