Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L Front) competes during a Spanish league soccer match between Barcelona and Valencia in Barcelona, Spain, on April 14, 2018. Barcelona won 2-1. (Xinhua/Joan Gosa)
MADRID, April 14 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona recovered from their exit from the Champions League with a 2-1 win at home to Valencia on Saturday night.
Goals from Luis Suarez and Samuel Umtiti, coupled with excellent performances from Phillipe Coutinho and goalkeeper Ter Stegen gave Barca the points which leaves them needing just 7 points to be crowned this season's Champions.
The win also means the side coached by Ernesto Valverde established a new league record of 39 games unbeaten, but they had to work hard against Valencia, who had chances, especially in the first half, to have taken home at least a point.
As it was, thanks mainly to Ter Stegen who pulled off fine saves from Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Moreno, it wasn't until the 87th minute that Dani Parejo's late penalty gave the visitors a late hope of taking a point.
The day kicked off with a vital game to qualify for next season's Europa League as Sevilla came back from 2-0 at home to Villarreal to draw 2-2.
Daniel Raba headed Villarreal ahead in the 36th minute, before Sevilla were reduced to 10 men after Wissam Ben Yedder saw 2 yellow cards in 3 seconds for complaining.
Carlos Bacca then scored against his former club to double Villarreal's lead, before Juame Costa was also sent off after committing a penalty for handball.
Sergio Asenjo saved Nolito's spotkick and the home side's chances looked to have gone before Nolito made amends from close range in the 78th minute.
They set the game up for a grandstand finish and N'Zonzi's 35 yard shot assured the points were shared.
Celta Vigo wasted the chance to close the gap on the top seven as Miguel Angel Guerrero's second half goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat away to Leganes, who deserved the win.
Real Sociedad's recovery under new coach Imanol continued as they won 1-0 away to relegation doomed Las Palmas, while two goals from Adrian Lopez kept Deportivo la Coruna's chances of avoiding relegation alive as his side clinched a 3-2 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao.
