Barcelona moved to within touching distance of the La Liga title with a comfortable victory at Alaves.

After a goalless first half, midfielder Carles Alena, 21, opened the scoring with a close-range finish following a sweeping attack by the visitors.

Victory means Barcelona will be confirmed as champions on Wednesday if Atletico Madrid lose to Valencia.

The reigning champions are 12 points clear of Atletico, who have five games remaining.

While Atletico could potentially still finish level on points with their title rivals if they slip up on Wednesday, Barcelona will win the title by virtue of a better head-to-head record between the two sides.

The result may mean Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde rests players against Levante at the weekend before next week's Champions League semi-final with Liverpool.

Valverde perhaps already had one eye on the first leg against Jurgen Klopp's side by opting to start Lionel Messi on the bench at Alaves.