Raphinha's brace! The Brazilian makes Barça even stronger leaders in LaLiga

FC Barcelona settled a tough match against Osasuna (2-0) thanks to goals from Raphinha. In the 70th minute, the Brazilian received a pass from Pedri after an error in the Navarrese team's build-up play and struck a left-footed shot that surprised Sergio Herrera after deflecting off one of the rival defenders.

Minutes earlier, the '11' had tried a long-range shot from midfield that almost surprised the opposing goalkeeper. Later, in the 85th minute, a half-hearted clearance by **Catena**, after a cross from **Koundé** on the right, allowed the South American winger, now in his usual position on the flank, to finish at ease against Herrera.

Rapha started the match as an attacking midfielder and, although he didn't have much involvement in the first half, where Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford carried the Blaugrana offense, he was the only one capable of breaking the defensive lock that, for 70 minutes, managed to keep Barça scoreless for the first time this season.

Raphinha: captain and scorer for Barça against Osasuna

The Catalans have been scoring at least one goal in 27 consecutive league matches for a year, and in the 70th minute, the first goal finally came from a Catalan team that had been widely superior up to that point. Raphinha, in 4 league matches, had only scored 1 goal against Osasuna, but he ended up celebrating twice for the first time at the revamped Spotify Camp Nou.

Once again with the captain's armband, the '11' responded to Hansi Flick's trust by using his striking ability to resolve a very important match for Barça. Regardless of what Real Madrid does against Alavés and next week against Sevilla, the Catalans will be LaLiga leaders until the end of the year.

The victory leaves the Catalan team with a 7-point lead, awaiting what happens in Vitoria between the 'merengues' and 'babazorros'. Rapha, for his part, celebrates again after remaining on the bench against Betis at La Cartuja.

Raphinha's second brace in LaLiga 25/26

Previously, the Brazilian had only scored twice against Valencia in matchday 4 (6-0), in a game where he was a substitute. His other goals of the season were against Mallorca (MD1) and Atlético (MD19, brought forward)

The 28-year-old forward was out for two months due to injury and only this Saturday completed 90 minutes for the first time since the comeback against Levante (2-3), on the second matchday of the league.

Without a doubt, seeing the Brazilian back in his best form is the best news of the year-end for the Spanish First Division's super leader. We must not forget that the '11' was MVP of the 24/25 season, where Flick's team lifted the title with two matchdays to spare. 

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