Atletico Madrid beat Real Sociedad to move within touching distance of a first La Liga title since 2014.
Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa gave Atleti a first-half lead but Diego Simeone's side beat a retreat in the second half and held on for a nervy victory after Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Real with seven minutes left.
The relief was palpable at the final whistle as Simeone jogged up the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano, punching the air as he went.
"We were excellent in the first half but the suffering was unnecessary when we had so many chances," Simeone said.
Outside, Atleti fans had gathered to cheer and sing throughout a nervy contest and when victory was confirmed, fireworks filled the sky.
"We thank all those who are outside tonight and all those who can't come because of everything that is happening," said Atletico captain Koke. "We could hear them outside when we needed them in the last 10 minutes."
Victory puts Atletico four points clear of Barcelona in the table and five ahead of Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane's side playing their game in hand away at Granada on Thursday.
It also raises the possibility of Atletico winning the title in the penultimate round on Sunday when they play at home to Osasuna.
Another victory this weekend would knock Barca out of the race regardless of what the Catalans do against Celta Vigo while Real Madrid would also concede if they had not taken six points from Granada and Sunday's trip to Athletic Bilbao.
Sevilla, in fourth, had earlier edged past Valencia 1-0 but they can no longer overtake Atleti, given their six-point deficit and a losing head-to-head record with the leaders.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored his 26th goal of the season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
