Deportivo Alaves v Barcelona LIVE - La Liga latest as Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan give Barca the advantage

Barcelona kept tabs on La Liga leaders Real Madrid and moved above Atletico Madrid into third place with a crucial 3-1 win over Deportivo Alaves.

Robert Lewandowski gave Xavi’s side the lead after keeping the home side at bay following a fast and threatening start.

Illkay Gundogan produced an exquisite finish to double the visitors' lead four minutes into the second half, but two minutes later Alves reduced the deficit through Samuel Omorodion.

Barcelona restored their lead through substitute Vitor Roque, who had an action-packed cameo off the bench.

After the Brazilian gave Barcelona a two-goal advantage, he was booked twice in quick succession and headed back down the tunnel just 13 minutes after his introduction.

Alaves chased the game in the final 20 minutes, but Barcelona kept their composure to seal a vital three points.

Barcelona move up to third in La Liga with a massive win on the road!

The winger rises higher than anyone else but powers his header at the back post over the bar, and that should do it.

Lopez gets down the left and tries to pull back a cross but Kounde uses his strength to knock him off balance as the ball runs behind for a goal kick

There will be six additional minutes at the end of the second half.

The teenager picks up the ball deep in his own half from an Alaves corner and drives the length of the pitch before pulling the trigger from outside the box, but his effort is well over the bar.

Roque (18y 340d) is the second youngest player to score and be sent off in the same La Liga match in the 21st century after Fernando Torres in September 2002 (18y 179d v Sevilla).

Alaves are chasing the game now and Barcelona look comfortable. Alaves hoof the ball into the box in a desperate attempt to find Omorodion, but the defender clears the danger.

They respond quickly to the red to send on Femin Lopez.

Roque has been sent off for a second yellow in quick succession! This time he's booked for again clipping the defender with a trailing leg.

A rollercoaster cameo off the bench for Roque!

He's just scored and now he's been booked for catching the defender as he makes a run forward. Harsh, but he's in the book.

Yamal shows an excellent change of pace as he races past Javi Lopez before finding Pedri, who helps the ball onto De Jong. Vitor Roque makes a run into the box down the left and latches onto Hector Fort's cutback as he guides the ball into the bottom right corner from the left.

And Gundogan doesn't look too pleased as he limps off. It looks like he might have suffered a knock.

Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last 10 away games in LaLiga (W5, D5), their best unbeaten away run in the competition since a streak of 19 matches between November 2021 and October 2022 (W13, D6).

Two strikes within two minutes down either end. Not much has changed since the second half kicked off nine minutes ago, really. Barca lead by a single goal!