Soccer-LaLiga talking points

By Fernando Kallas

MADRID (Reuters) - Talking points from the weekend in LaLiga.

ANSU FATI HOPES ARE STILL ALIVE

A stoppage-time goal from Jordi Alba earned Barcelona a 2-1 LaLiga win at Real Betis on Saturday, securing them a Champions League spot and moving them five points clear of third-placed Sevilla.

But the biggest headline from the game was Barca's opener, scored by 19-year-old substitute Ansu Fati.

He scored 77 seconds after coming off the bench in the 75th minute, his sixth goal of the season having played in only 12 games, four as a starter. It was only his second appearance since November, when he suffered a hamstring injury.

Fati, who inherited the number 10 jersey from Lionel Messi when the Argentine left for Paris St Germain, came through the youth system at the Catalan club, becoming the second youngest player in LaLiga history when he made his debut at age 16.

However, his time since then has been plagued by injuries. He underwent four surgeries to repair a left knee injury he suffered in November 2020.

Barcelona will hope that he plays a much bigger role next season as they look to reclaim some silverware after a barren year.

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ATLETICO CATCH A BREAK

Nerves and pressure have cooled off at Atletico Madrid as they woke up on Monday one step closer to a Champions League spot next season after a 1-0 win in Sunday's derby against newly-crowned LaLiga champions Real.

Diego Simeone's team came into the game under heavy criticism by local media for their poor play, winning only one of their previous six games in all competitions.

There was also the controversial decision by Atletico to refuse to follow tradition of applauding the