Soccer-Lopez double move Barca closer to top two finish with win over Almeria
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Almeria v Barcelona - Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, Almeria, Spain - May 16, 2024 FC Barcelona's Fermin Lopez celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Jon Nazca
ALMERIA, Spain (Reuters) -Barcelona remained on track to finish second in LaLiga after Fermin Lopez scored a brace in their 2-0 win over bottom side Almeria on Thursday.
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Almeria v Barcelona - Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, Almeria, Spain - May 16, 2024 FC Barcelona's Fermin Lopez celebrates scoring their first goal with Inigo Martinez REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Xavi Hernandez's side are on 79 points, four clear of Catalan rivals Girona, whose hopes of finishing second are fading fast after Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Villareal.
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Almeria v Barcelona - Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, Almeria, Spain - May 16, 2024 FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in action with Almeria's Bruno Langa REUTERS/Jon Nazca
"We have a very good squad and I'm happy with the level of demand from the players, but this not an easy or pleasant situation. We want to win titles and we haven't done our homework properly," Xavi told a press conference.
Real Madrid, who have already clinched the title, continue to pull away from Barca after a 5-0 win over Alaves on Tuesday and have 93 points with two games remaining.
Lopez gave Barca an early lead in the 14th minute when he headed past goalkeeper Luis Maximiano from Hector Fort's accurate cross.
"Hector gave me a little piece of candy. I've always had good head timing," Lopez said to Movistar+.
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Almeria v Barcelona - Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, Almeria, Spain - May 16, 2024 FC Barcelona's Pedri in action with Almeria's Marcos Pena REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Despite efforts from Cesar Montes and Lucas Robertone, Almeria were unable to find an equaliser.
Lopez netted his second from Sergi Roberto's cross to wrap up the win for Barca.
"I'm happy to help the team with goals and for the win, which we needed. We're going to fight for second place until the end and we're on the right track," Lopez added.
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Almeria v Barcelona - Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, Almeria, Spain - May 16, 2024 FC Barcelona players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Almeria, already relegated, sit last with 17 points.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City, editing by Pritha Sarkar)