sport news Alaves 0-2 Barcelona: Carles Alena and Luis Suarez score as Barcelona move to ...

Alaves 0-2 Barcelona: Carles Alena and Luis Suarez score as Barcelona move to the brink of retaining La Liga title despite Lionel Messi only featuring as a substitute Carles Alena's goal and Luis Suarez's penalty saw Barcelona secure an important 2-0 win away to Alaves  Barcelona will be crowned champions if Atletico Madrid lose to Valencia on Thursday  Lionel Messi was named amongst the substitutes and entered the fray in the 61st minute of the game 

By Pete Jenson for MailOnline

Published: 22:22 BST, 23 April 2019 | Updated: 22:54 BST, 23 April 2019

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Barcelona are three points from being crowned champions after a 2-0 win over Alaves achieved with Lionel Messi resting on the bench.

The three points could come Saturday when they play Levante at home. But they could also come on Wednesday night if second-placed Atletico Madrid drop three points at home to Valencia. Either way Barcelona will have won the league before they face Liverpool next week.

This was a comfortable win and it was achieved without Messi for the most part. He came on at the hour mark but by then Barcelona were already done and dusted.

Barcelona's goalscorers Luis Suarez and Carles Alena celebrate during their 2-0 victory against Alaves

Barcelona's goalscorers Luis Suarez and Carles Alena celebrate during their 2-0 victory against Alaves

Suarez celebrates his goal, which made it 2-0 and puts Barcelona within touching distance of retaining the title

Suarez celebrates his goal, which made it 2-0 and puts Barcelona within touching distance of retaining the title

Suarez scored from the penalty spot as Barcelona managed to prevail despite Lionel Messi not starting the game

Suarez scored from the penalty spot as Barcelona managed to prevail despite Lionel Messi not starting the game

Barcelona will be crowned La Liga winners if Atletico Madrid are beaten by Valencia on Thursday

Barcelona will be crowned La Liga winners if Atletico Madrid are beaten by Valencia on Thursday

First Carles Aleña scored from Sergio Roberto’s cross, cleverly left by Luis Suarez on 54 minutes.

And six minutes later Suarez scored his 21st league goal of the season from the penalty spot after VAR had made some sense of a six-yard box melee in which Gerard Pique had forced the ball over the line but with Samuel Umtiti apparently in a possible offside position.

The referee reviewed the incident pitch-side and spotted a handball from Tomas Pina. Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco got fingertips to Suarez’ penalty but could not keep out the shot.

No sooner had Alaves gone 2-0 down than Messi stripped to come on. Jordi Alba was not far behind him. This was Barcelona not quite at full-throttle but still with too much for their rivals.

Alaves had frustrated Barcelona in the first half with five defenders strung across the back. It was hard work for Suarez without Messi and when he did get clear on to Philippe Coutinho’s pass his shot was saved by Pacheco.

Alena managed to put Barcelona in the lead in the 54th minute of their encounter against Alaves

Alena managed to put Barcelona in the lead in the 54th minute of their encounter against Alaves

Suarez demonstrated impressive composure as he managed to find the net from the penalty spot

Suarez demonstrated impressive composure as he managed to

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