Barca had lost four of their previous five away matches and claimed just one win in 10 on their league travels, and that poor run of form was threatening to derail the team's championship challenge.

However, Barca were finally able to celebrate another three-point haul away from the Nou Camp on Saturday night thanks to second-half goals from Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o at the Anoeta, and Van Bronckhorst believes it was timely triumph for his side.

"This was a decisive game for the league. Only a win would do for us and we are happy because we did it. We played well and winning away from home is always important," he said.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard added: "We played well and I think the team deserved to win such an important game away from home."

The victory lifted Barca four points clear at the summit ahead of Sunday's matches, with all eyes now on second-placed Sevilla's trip to third-placed Real Madrid.

"We did our job and now we have to wait for (Sunday's) game between Sevilla and Real Madrid and see which of them drops points," said goalscorer Iniesta.