Barcelona returned to winning form in La Liga with an impressive 5-1 victory over Mallorca on Tuesday, marked by two goals from Raphinha. The team had been struggling in recent weeks, failing to secure a win in their last three league matches, allowing Real Madrid to tighten their grip at the top of the standings. Madrid is now just four points behind Barcelona, albeit with two games in hand.
The match kicked off with Barcelona’s Ferran Torres scoring in the 12th minute due to a defensive error from Mallorca. Despite Mallorca equalizing with Vedat Muriqi’s breakaway goal just before halftime, Raphinha’s penalty in the 56th minute restored Barcelona’s lead. He then scored again in the 74th minute with an assist from Lamine Yamal.
Raphinha’s remarkable performance showcased his prowess, bringing his tally to 11 goals in 16 league matches this season. The young talent Yamal made a significant impact as well, assisting Frenkie de Jong and Pau Víctor, who scored in the 79th and 84th minutes respectively. This match marked the sixth occurrence this season in which Barcelona scored five or more goals in a game across all competitions, demonstrating their offensive firepower with a league goal difference of 48-17.
Despite recent setbacks against Las Palmas and Real Sociedad, Barcelona has shown resilience and determination. This match was scheduled ahead of the Spanish Super Cup in January, where Barcelona will also compete, showcasing the fixtures that are especially challenging for all participating teams.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will face Real Betis, while Mallorca, currently sitting sixth in the league, will take on Celta. The victory against Mallorca could serve as a crucial turning point for Barcelona as they aim to regain their dominant form in La Liga and beyond.
This win not only boosts Barcelona’s confidence but also reinforces their formidable attacking strength as they gear up for critical matches in the coming weeks.