La Liga
Raphinha’s Brilliance Leads Barcelona To Victory Over Mallorca
FC Barcelona secured a much-needed 5-1 victory against RCD Mallorca, propelling them four points clear at the top of La Liga.
This match marked a vital turnaround for the Blaugrana, who were eager to respond after suffering a disappointing home defeat to UD Las Palmas just days earlier. With Raphinha playing a pivotal role, netting two goals in the second half, Barcelona displayed their attacking qualities and resilience, marking their first win in four league matches.
A Fast Start
From the kickoff, Barcelona demonstrated their intent to dominate the match. The early stages saw them pressuring Mallorca’s defense, and their efforts paid off in the 12th minute.
Ferran Torres capitalized on a defensive mix-up, bundling the ball past Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Román to score his second goal of the season. This early breakthrough injected confidence into the home side, who continued to assert their dominance.
Despite Barcelona’s control, Mallorca proved to be a formidable opponent. The visitors remained a constant threat on the counterattack, demonstrating their attacking capabilities.
Barcelona had opportunities to extend their lead, with Torres seeing another shot saved by Román and Lamine Yamal missing a golden chance by firing wide when well-placed in the box.
Mallorca Strikes Back
As the first half progressed, Mallorca began to find their footing, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. In a moment of unselfish play, Pablo Maffeo squared the ball for Vedat Muriqi, who tapped it home from close range.
This equalizer sent the teams into the break level at 1-1, leaving Barcelona with a renewed sense of urgency as they headed into the second half.
Raphinha Takes Charge
The second half saw Barcelona come out with renewed vigor, and they quickly sought to regain their lead. Both Ferran Torres and Raphinha came close to scoring, but it was Raphinha who would ultimately make the difference.
In the 54th minute, a foul by Johan Mojica on Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area awarded Barcelona a penalty. Raphinha stepped up confidently and dispatched the ball into the bottom corner, marking his 15th goal of the season across all competitions.
With the momentum firmly on their side, Barcelona continued to press. Raphinha was at the heart of the action, and his relentless pursuit of goals paid off when he scored the third for the visitors.
Yamal delivered a spectacular cross, and Raphinha was perfectly positioned to apply the finishing touch, restoring a two-goal lead for the Blaugrana.
A Flourishing Finish
As the match approached its conclusion, Barcelona’s dominance became increasingly evident. In the closing stages, Frenkie de Jong found himself in the right place at the right time to power home a loose ball, further extending Barcelona’s lead to 4-1.
To cap off a great performance, de Jong turned from scorer to provider, assisting Pau Victor for a simple finish that sealed the scoreline at 5-1.
This emphatic victory boosted Barcelona’s morale and also extended their unbeaten streak against Mallorca to 17 matches, with 15 wins and 2 draws.
