Barcelona returned to winning ways by nicking a 2-1 victory at Celta Vigo as Robert Lewandowski kept his cool to convert a retaken 97th-minute penalty.
The Poland striker put the visitors, who drew 3-3 at Granada last weekend, ahead with a powerful angled drive.
Iago Aspas levelled for Celta, who are fourth bottom of La Liga, shortly after the restart with a deflected strike.
But Lewandowski clinched victory from the spot, leaving third-placed Barca seven points behind Real Madrid.
Leaders Real, who travel to city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, are five points clear of second-placed Girona after they were held 1-1 at Villarreal on Friday.
Barcelona have claimed 24 points with goals scored after the 76th minute – the most in the Spanish top-flight this season.
The Catalans are also unbeaten in four matches since head coach Xavi announced he would step down at the end of the season.
Xavi’s side face Napoli on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16, with the European competition being their last realistic chance of silverware this season.
Atletico Madrid are fourth, three points behind Barca, after they thrashed visitors Las Palmas 5-0 on Saturday.
Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa both scored twice for Atletico before substitute Memphis Depay added a late fifth.
The hosts recorded a comfortable victory despite Rojiblancos manager Diego Simeone resting key players – including France forward Antoine Griezmann – before their midweek Champions League last-16 tie at Inter Milan.
Elsewhere, Cadiz remain in the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat at 11th-placed Osasuna.
Line-ups
Celta Vigo
Formation 4-4-2
- 25Guaita
- 3MinguezaSubstituted forVázquezat 85′minutes
- 2Starfelt
- 28DomínguezSubstituted forNúñezat 45′minutes
- 21RisticSubstituted forSánchezat 59′minutes
- 9AllendeBooked at 15minsSubstituted forSwedbergat 77′minutes
- 8Beltrán
- 5Tapia
- 14de la Torre
- 10Iago Aspas
- 18Strand LarsenBooked at 90minsSubstituted forDouvikasat 85′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Núñez
- 7Pérez
- 11Cervi
- 12Douvikas
- 13Villar
- 16Marques Siqueira
- 19Swedberg
- 20Vázquez
- 23Sánchez
- 24Rodríguez
- 26Carrillo
- 30Sotelo
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 1ter StegenBooked at 90mins
- 23Koundé
- 4AraújoSubstituted forMartínezat 45′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 33Cubarsí
- 2Cancelo
- 21F de JongBooked at 90mins
- 15ChristensenBooked at 38minsSubstituted forGündoganat 58′minutes
- 8PedriSubstituted forLópezat 75′minutes
- 27YamalSubstituted forRomeuat 90+9′minutes
- 9Lewandowski
- 19Roque FerreiraSubstituted forRaphinhaat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Martínez
- 11Raphinha
- 13Peña Sotorres
- 16López
- 18Romeu
- 22Gündogan
- 30Casadó
- 31Kochen
- 38Guiu
- 39Fort
- Referee:
- Juan Luis Pulido Santana
- Attendance:
- 23,096
Live Text
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Match ends, Celta Vigo 1, Barcelona 2.
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Second Half ends, Celta Vigo 1, Barcelona 2.
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Attempt missed. Renato Tapia (Celta Vigo) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.
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Íñigo Martínez (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Íñigo Martínez (Barcelona).
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Tasos Douvikas (Celta Vigo) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Substitution, Barcelona. Oriol Romeu replaces Lamine Yamal.
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Attempt missed. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan following a fast break.
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Goal! Celta Vigo 1, Barcelona 2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
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VAR Decision: Other Decision Cancelled.
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Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card.
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Jørgen Strand Larsen (Celta Vigo) is shown the yellow card.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card.
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Delay in match because of an injury Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
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Penalty Barcelona. Lamine Yamal draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Penalty conceded by Fran Beltrán (Celta Vigo) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Attempt saved. Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Fermín López (Barcelona).
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Unai Núñez (Celta Vigo) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
