Raphinha Hits Double as Barcelona End Three-match Winless Run

LALIGA

Raphinha inspired Barcelona to a 5-1 thumping victory at Mallorca last night as they ended a three-game winless run.

The Brazil international found the net twice in the second half as Hansi Flick’s men moved four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

With the sides level at the break, Raphinha’s crucial first goal came in the 56th minute from the penalty spot after the returning Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box.

Teenager Yamal then found his captain with a sublime cross using the outside of his foot 18 minutes later, which Raphinha slotted in for his 11th league goal of the season.

Second-half substitutes Frenkie De Jong and Pau Victor put the gloss on the victory with two goals in five minutes as Barcelona bounced back from Sunday’s defeat to Las Palmas in style.

With top scorer Robert Lewandowski on the bench, Flick’s decision to start Torres paid off after the former Manchester City forward gave the visitors a 12th-minute lead following a terrible defensive mix-up.

The hosts pegged the La Liga leaders back on the stroke of half-time after Samu Costa freed Pablo Maffeo beyond Barcelona’s offside trap and the right-back slipped in Vedat Muriqi to level.

Next up for Barcelona is a trip to Real Betis on Saturday, while Mallorca visit Celta Vigo.