Barcelona kept its title hopes alive with a 1-0 win in the city derby against Espanyol in the Spanish league on Wednesday, sealing the rival's relegation for the first time in nearly three decades.

Luis Suárez scored the winning goal early in the second half to move Barcelona within a point of leader Real Madrid and send Espanyol to the second division after 26 straight seasons in the top flight.

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Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona kept its title hopes alive with a 1-0 win in the city derby against Espanyol in the Spanish league on Wednesday, sealing the rival's relegation for the first time in nearly three decades.
Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Only a win in the city derby could have kept last-place Espanyol with a chance of staying in the top tier. The club owned by Chinese businessman Chen Yansheng hasn't played in the second division since the 1993-1994 season. It had been among the teams with most consecutive seasons in the top flight, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Espanyol's players react during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

It didn't take long for Barcelona to take advantage of the extra space, and Suárez broke the deadlock from close range in the 56th after an exchange between Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi inside the area.
Barcelona's Sergi Roberto fights for the ball against Espanyol's Raul De Tomas and Bernardo Espinosa, right, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

OTHER RESULTS
Barcelona's Gerard Pique jumps for the ball against Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Getafe loudly complained of the referring and players from both teams got into an altercation after the final whistle.
Espanyol's players during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

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Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)
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Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona kept its title hopes alive with a 1-0 win in the city derby against Espanyol in the Spanish league on Wednesday, sealing the rival's relegation for the first time in nearly three decades.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Only a win in the city derby could have kept last-place Espanyol with a chance of staying in the top tier. The club owned by Chinese businessman Chen Yansheng hasn't played in the second division since the 1993-1994 season. It had been among the teams with most consecutive seasons in the top flight, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

Espanyol's players react during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

It didn't take long for Barcelona to take advantage of the extra space, and Suárez broke the deadlock from close range in the 56th after an exchange between Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi inside the area.

Barcelona's Sergi Roberto fights for the ball against Espanyol's Raul De Tomas and Bernardo Espinosa, right, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

OTHER RESULTS

Barcelona's Gerard Pique jumps for the ball against Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Getafe loudly complained of the referring and players from both teams got into an altercation after the final whistle.

Espanyol's players during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Real Madrid can reclaim a four-point lead with three rounds left with a home win against relegation-threatened Alavés on Friday. Madrid, seeking its first league title in three years, has a perfect record since the league resumed following the coronavirus break.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Only a win in the city derby could have kept last-place Espanyol with a chance of staying in the top tier. The club owned by Chinese businessman Chen Yansheng hasn't played in the second division since the 1993-1994 season. It had been among the teams with most consecutive seasons in the top flight, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

It was the sixth straight loss for Espanyol, and its 11th consecutive league defeat away to Barcelona at the Camp Nou Stadium. It has 24 points from 35 matches.

Both teams went a man down to a straight red card early in the second half. Barcelona forward Ansu Fati was sent off after a hard foul on Fernando Calero in the 51st, and Espanyol midfielder Pol Lozano was ejected after a tough foul on Gerard Piqué in the 54th.

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

It didn't take long for Barcelona to take advantage of the extra space, and Suárez broke the deadlock from close range in the 56th after an exchange between Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi inside the area.

Griezmann, a starter for the second consecutive match after a lengthy period without getting many minutes, had already successfully teamed up with Messi in the team's 4-1 win at Villarreal in the previous round.

Barcelona was in control from the start but Espanyol had some significant chances to open the scoring in the first half, hitting the post once and forcing goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to make a tough save.

Espanyol's players react during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Espanyol's players react during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

OTHER RESULTS

Villarreal kept alive its chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a 3-1 win at Getafe, moving within three points of fourth-place Sevilla.

Santi Cazorla scored penalties in the 66th and 86th minutes for Villarreal, which opened a four-point gap to sixth-place Getafe.

Barcelona's Sergi Roberto fights for the ball against Espanyol's Raul De Tomas and Bernardo Espinosa, right, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Sergi Roberto fights for the ball against Espanyol's Raul De Tomas and Bernardo Espinosa, right, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Getafe loudly complained of the referring and players from both teams got into an altercation after the final whistle.

Real Betis secured its stay in the first division with a comfortable 3-0 win over midtable Osasuna, ending a three-match winless streak.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Barcelona's Gerard Pique jumps for the ball against Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Gerard Pique jumps for the ball against Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Espanyol's players during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Espanyol's players during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

 Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

 Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi runs for the ball next to Espanyol's David Lopez during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

 Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lionel Messi fights for the ball next to Luis Suarez, against Espanyol's Marc Roca, Fernando Calero and Bernardo Espinosa, left, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoJoan Monfort)