Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said the club will "keep fighting" for the title after moving up to second in La Liga with a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday.
A wonder-goal from Pedri proved the difference at Camp Nou as the victory saw Barca leapfrog Sevilla, behind only rivals Real Madrid in the league standings.
Barca missed a string of chances against a dogged Sevilla before 19-year-old Pedri settled the contest with a moment of magic, dancing his way into space on the edge of the area before firing into the corner.
Victory continues Barcelona's recent surge under Xavi, backing up their 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid before the international break with a convincing win against the team who have been Madrid's chief title challengers all season.
Madrid edged past Celta Vigo on Saturday to calm suggestions their clasico nightmare could even prompt a late collapse and let Barca back into the race.
A 12-point advantage means that is surely impossible now but Barcelona are in the driving seat to finish second, which would be a remarkable achievement for a team which only a few months ago had serious concerns about missing out on the top four. When Xavi took over in November, Barca lay ninth.
The last time the Catalans were second in La Liga after a complete round of fixtures was May 10 last year, three matches before the end of last season.
"We're second but nothing is done," Xavi said. "While it's mathematically possible to fight for La Liga, we will keep fighting."
Ousmane Dembele delivered another excellent to display to enhance the growing the sense that the Frenchman might yet stay in the summer, even if the club remain pessimistic.
Barcelona player ratings v Sevilla
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BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 7. Little to do in first half. Saved from Lamela on 47 and had to be alert as Sevilla created more chances around his area and Rakitic swung a free-kick over. Saved well from Martial on 70 and vital at the end. AFP -
Dani Alves – 7. Roared by the crowd after a third minute challenge and then for some ninth minute trickery. He’s been a success since coming back, another reason why a revitalised Barca have risen to a season high second place. AFP -
Gerard Pique – 8. Climbed over Rakitic, hurting and apologising to his former teammate on 29. Banged his head into Martial’s boot on 32. His 68th minute shot was deflected towards goal and his header 30 seconds later hit the crossbar. Booked. AP -
Ronald Araujo – 8. Powered a header over on 13. A Martial shot hit his arm after 23. Becoming a cult hero among fans who chanted his Uruguayan nationality during the game. Headed a Dembele corner over on 63. Getty -
Jordi Alba – 7. Blasted a 20th minute shot wide. Cut out Sevilla’s accurate cross field passes well. EPA -
Sergio Busquets – 7. Went down in the first minute and it looked serious, but he was soon back up on his feet. Tried to work the passes forward against a formidable foe and set up Dembele on 70. Booked. AP -
Frenkie De Jong – 6. Beautiful first minute twist and pass to Torres. Headed over on 12. Not as involved as Pedri and brought off after 74. Getty -
Pedri – 8. Lovely ball over Sevilla’s stubborn defence on 44 to Dembele. Cut through Sevilla’s defence on 50 but couldn’t get the ball towards goal. Stunning goal, after two dummies on the edge of the opposing box on 71 to finally break Sevilla. Getty -
Ousmane Dembele – 8. Set up De Jong with a cross on 11. A danger as he dispossessed Rekik. Another cross hit the back of the Rekik’s arm on 26. Was Barca’s main threat as he set Torres up on 44 and Torres on 62. Smacked a shot over on 70. Super tackle after running back on Rekik after 75. Crossed for Torres on 76. Booked. AFP -
Ferran Torres – 7. Lost possession when De Jong set him up after a minute. Shot wide on 7. Downward shot on target didn’t trouble goalkeeper Bounou on 39. Missed a chance on 43. Heavily involved once again and shot wide on 64 and saw a header saved on 76 but his run which saw him score four goals in three games came to an end. Getty -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6. Fantastic movement to get ahead of his man on 25. Felt he was pulled down on 41 – as did the large 76,112 crowd and his boss Xavi. The least involved of the three forwards in the narrow, crucial, win. AP -
SUBS: Gavi (De Jong 74') – 6. Getty -
Memphis Depay (Aubameyang 81’) – N/A. AFP -
Nico Gonzalez (Dembele 91’) – N/A. AP
Pedri, though, was the star of the show, a stunning performance in midfield rounded off with a masterful goal that will only further the reputation of one of the world's most exciting young talents.
"I encourage him to shoot," said Xavi. "He always thinks to pass, he's a passer, it's something that happened to me as well. But today he scored a great goal.
"When I say he's an elite player, it's because there is hardly anyone that understands our style as well as him."
Sevilla, meanwhile, continue to fizzle, have drawn seven out of their previous nine games before this defeat made it two wins from 10.
Add the exit in the Europa League at the hands of West Ham and Julen Lopetegui's side are in danger of enduring a miserable end to what looked a promising season.
