Atletico Madrid have kept the La Liga title race alive for a few hours at least by claiming a 1-0 win over Alaves in Sunday afternoon's clash at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Kevin Gameiro's second-half penalty sealed all three points for Diego Simeone's side and put the onus on Barcelona to wrap up the championship with a point at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday night.
Simeone made widescale changes to his starting XI with an eye on next Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, and the team put in a somewhat disjointed performance as a result.
The visitors had a huge let-off on 16 minutes when Munir El Haddadi went to ground in the area under a challenge by Lucas Hernandez, but the referee waved away the ensuing penalty appeals.
At the other end, Thomas Partey fired narrowly wide from 25 yards, and Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera was not tested until the 42nd minute, Diego Costa drawing a save with a low drive from Stefan Savic's ball over the top.
Sivera had to be replaced in the second half after hitting his shoulder on the post while keeping out a Vitolo drive, Fernando Pacheco taking his place in between the sticks.
Atleti custodian Axel Werner then kept out John Guidetti's vicious long-range effort before Atleti were awarded a penalty, conceded by Mubarak Wakaso's challenge on Vitolo, that Fernando Torres failed to convert.
Wakaso then conceded another spot kick with 13 minutes remaining, handling Torres's half-volley, and this time Gameiro took the ball and duly converted from 12 yards, straight down the middle.
Los Colchoneros finished the game with 10 men due to Angel Correa's second booking in stoppage time, but they were able to see the game out for all three points, keeping their slim title hopes alive.
ALAVES (4-4-2): Sivera (Pacheco 63'); Alexis, Laguardia, Maripan, Dieguez Grande; Sobrino, Pina, Wakaso (Garcia 79'), Alfonso; Guidetti (Ibai 72'), El Haddadi
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Werner; Thomas, Savic, Lucas, Vrsaljko; Correa, Gabi, Koke (Godin 62'), Vitolo; Torres, Costa (Gameiro 63')
Giuseppe Labellarte
