Home ›› 10 Nov 2022 ›› Sport
10-man FC Barcelona found a comeback spirit in the second half of their La Liga match against Osasuna as they scored twice to win 2-1 and ensure they stay top of the league during the World Cup break.
Barca conceded early as David Garcia put Osasuna forward, and a second yellow card for Robert Lewandowski in the 31st minute meant they had to play more than an hour with a man less.
But a Pedri goal early in the second half brought them level before their Brazilian winger Raphinha scored an exquisite header in the dying minutes of regular time to give them all three points.
This win puts Barca on 37 points from 14 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
“Big performance from us. We have to be proud of the team. We defended really well in the second half,” Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said after the match.
“In the second half, I told them to have faith and personality. They showed both.”
After Real lost to Rayo Vallecano earlier this week, Barca knew three points would guarantee them being league leaders until January.
But things turned south soon as Garcia scored from a corner in the sixth minute of the match.
Adding to the Catalans’ troubles, Lewandowski saw two yellow cards in 20 minutes to see himself sent off.
Barca ended the first half behind, and Gerard Pique was sent off during half-time for arguing with the referee.
In the second half, Barca took little time to find the equaliser as Pedri scored his third goal of this league campaign with a pinpoint finish.
Osasuna pushed against 10-man Barca to find the winner, but their work was undone in the 85th minute when Frenkie De Jong lobbed a brilliant ball into the Osasuna box from their half, and with Osasuna goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez off the line, Raphinha headed the ball over him to ensure Barca got all three points.
