La Liga: Late Dembele strike earns Barca win to pile pressure on Atletico

Ousmane Dembele scored a 90th minute winner for Barcelona against 10-man Real Valladolid as Ronald Koeman’s side closed the gap on Atletico Madrid to just one point at the top of La Liga.

The Catalans kicked off knowing that a win would move them to within touching distance of top spot in the table ahead of Saturday’s Clasico against Real Madrid, but they were made to work hard for it.

Real Valladolid started on top with Kenan Kodro striking the woodwork with a header that had Marc-Andre ter Stegen beaten. Barca also hit the woodwork before half time when Jordi Masip tipped a Pedri shot on to the base of the post.

Ousmane Dembele had a low effort saved by Masip with Antoine Griezmann heading the rebound wide as Barca cranked up the pressure before Koeman introduced Ronald Araujo, Martin Braithwaite and Francisco Trincao in an attempt to find the breakthrough.

FULL TIME! pic.twitter.com/sInEohjgpl

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 5, 2021

Read Also: EPL: Everton blow late lead against Crystal Palace

Oscar Plano was shown a straight red card with 10 minutes remaining for a late tackle on Dembele as he burst forward, although the decision was somewhat harsh on the Real Valladolid midfielder.

Despite the man advantage, Barca struggled and just as it looked like Real Valladolid could hold on for a point Dembele lashed home a left-footed volley at the back post from a Frenkie de Jong cross.