Barcelona ended their three-game winless streak in style with a dominant victory over Mallorca, largely inspired by Raphinha’s outstanding performance. The Brazilian international netted twice in the second half, helping Barcelona to extend their lead over Real Madrid to four points at the top of La Liga. After a balanced first half that ended level, Raphinha broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, converting a penalty earned by the returning teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The youngster’s impact didn’t end there; 18 minutes later, he delivered a spectacular outside-of-the-foot cross that Raphinha converted for his second goal of the match and his 11th of the season.
The victory was further sealed by substitutes Frenkie De Jong and Pau Victor, who each scored within five minutes to pile on Mallorca’s misery. Barcelona’s performance marked a resounding recovery after their disappointing loss to Las Palmas just days earlier. Coach Hansi Flick’s strategic decision to rest key players, including star striker Robert Lewandowski, paid off handsomely. Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres took his opportunity, scoring early in the 12th minute following a defensive lapse by the hosts. However, Mallorca managed to level the score just before halftime when Pablo Maffeo skillfully set up Vedat Muriqi to exploit Barcelona’s offside trap.
This emphatic win rejuvenates Barcelona’s title aspirations, providing a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their upcoming trip to Real Betis. Meanwhile, Mallorca will need to regroup before facing Celta Vigo. The match highlighted Barcelona’s depth and adaptability, with players stepping up in the absence of regular starters. The combination of Raphinha’s clinical finishing, Yamal’s creative brilliance, and the impact of substitutes underlined the team’s strong squad dynamics. This result not only ended their recent struggles but also reinforced their position as La Liga’s front-runners.
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