Raphinha Inspires Barcelona to a 2-0 Win as the League Leaders Stretch Their Advantage
Barcelona tightened their grip on LaLiga with a composed 2-0 victory over Osasuna at the Spotify Camp Nou. A second-half brace from Raphinha delivered the breakthrough the champions needed as they moved seven points clear at the summit.
Barcelona entered the match knowing that another win would apply pressure on their rivals, and after a disciplined and patient performance, they delivered exactly that. Their 2-0 victory over Osasuna was fully deserved, built on control, persistence, and the quality of one man in particular: Raphinha.
The first half played out with intensity but without a breakthrough. Barcelona created the better chances, yet Osasuna defended with determination. Ferran Torres saw a header ruled out by VAR following an offside decision in the build-up, and the stadium gasped when the forward’s acrobatic bicycle kick drifted inches wide. Osasuna had their own moments too. Budimir twice found himself through on goal but failed to beat Garcia, whose positioning and calmness ensured the hosts reached the interval level.
The second half began with Barcelona increasing the tempo. Marcus Rashford tested Herrera from a free-kick, while Victor Munoz produced Osasuna’s best opportunity when he raced clear but sent his effort wide with Garcia narrowing the angle. Barcelona responded with sustained pressure, and the breakthrough finally came on seventy minutes.
Pedri carried the ball with confidence through midfield before slipping a precise pass into Raphinha’s path. The Brazilian steadied himself on the edge of the penalty area and drilled a fierce left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner. The Camp Nou erupted in relief as Barcelona claimed the lead they had been chasing for over an hour.
Osasuna thought they had found an equaliser moments later. A long free-kick created confusion in the box, allowing Herrando to sweep the ball home. The referee immediately disallowed the goal, ruling that Garcia had been fouled while attempting to claim the delivery. The visitors’ protests were brief, and the momentum swung decisively back to Barcelona.
Within a minute, Raphinha struck again. Kounde delivered a teasing cross that caused panic in the Osasuna defence. Catena failed to clear and the loose ball fell kindly for Raphinha, who reacted sharply to tap into the far post. His second of the night put the match beyond reach and capped a commanding individual performance.
The victory moves Barcelona seven points clear of Real Madrid, though their rivals still have a game in hand. Osasuna drop to sixteenth, level on points with Girona in the relegation places and facing a difficult run ahead.
Barcelona now shift their attention to the Copa del Rey before a demanding league encounter with Villarreal. Osasuna will look to regroup ahead of their meeting with Alaves, knowing that defensive resilience alone will not be enough to lift them clear of danger.
