Barcelona crack Osasuna late, Raphinha brace and Pedri milestone power 2-0 win
Barcelona needed patience. Then they found a punch. I watched the league leaders wear down Osasuna at Camp Nou, and when the gap finally opened, Raphinha ran through it. His late brace sealed a 2-0 win, stretched the lead at the top, and turned a tense night into a roar. Pedri’s landmark made it bigger. At 23 years and 18 days, he became the youngest Barcelona player to reach 150 La Liga games, passing Lionel Messi’s mark. That is a sentence the club will savor.
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Raphinha delivers when it matters
Osasuna did what they do. Two tight lines, clear duels, and a fearless keeper in Sergio Herrera. Barcelona owned the ball, close to 80 percent, and fired 24 shots. Most of them met a glove, a block, or a body in the lane.
The dam finally cracked in the 70th minute. Pedri slid a simple pass into the right channel. Raphinha stepped inside and drilled low into the far corner. Clean. Cold. Camp Nou exploded. The Brazilian then killed the game in the 86th minute, smashing a volley after a deflected cross looped his way.
A Ferran Torres header in the 23rd minute had briefly lit the stadium, but the flag and a check wiped it out for offside in the buildup. Barcelona did not sulk. They squeezed and cycled and waited for the next clean look. They got it. Twice.
- 23: Ferran header ruled out for offside
- 70: Raphinha, right-foot finish into the bottom corner
- 86: Raphinha, volley after a deflected delivery
- Final: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna, shots 24-3, possession near 80 percent
Pedri’s mark, and what it means
This was not just another minute on the pitch for Pedri. It was a new line in the club’s record book. 150 league appearances, and the youngest to ever do it in a Barcelona shirt. The number is big, but the message is bigger.
Barcelona’s spine still runs through La Masia. Pedri is the face of that idea, even though he was signed young rather than raised from age 8. He thinks like a Barcelona midfielder. He sets the tempo with short angles, calm touches, and smart pauses. On a night that asked for control, he gave it. The pass for the opener was not flashy. It was perfect.
Pedri reached 150 La Liga games at 23 years and 18 days, the youngest in club history, moving past Lionel Messi.
Tactics, patience, and the balance of the squad
Hansi Flick leaned on width and repeated patterns. The fullbacks stayed brave. Midfielders rotated to keep the ball moving side to side. The goal was to shift Osasuna’s back four out of sync. It took time. It took trust. And it took a winger willing to finish the job.
Raphinha, an experienced signing, showed why you pay for prime years. He took the risk in the box and owned the moments. Around him, the academy core kept the structure tight. That blend is the point. It is the modern Barcelona model, big signings in key zones, youth setting the rhythm.
Sergio Herrera earned his applause. He stuffed one-on-ones, punched under traffic, and bought Osasuna time. But constant waves wear you down. Barcelona’s counterpress hunted the second ball, pinned Osasuna’s clearances, and kept the match tilted. You could feel the ground tilt more each minute, until it tipped.
Against a deep block, quick switches, patient recycling, and sharp runs across the front line beat raw speed.
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What it means for the title race
The win lifts Barcelona seven points clear at the top. Real Madrid have a game in hand, so this gap can shrink. But the pressure shifts. Barcelona put their number on the board. Now their rivals must answer.
This stretch of December can define a season. Heavy legs. Packed schedules. Nights like this sort teams by habits. Barcelona showed good ones, patience with purpose, control without fear, and a finisher with nerve.
Barcelona are seven points clear. Real Madrid play next and can cut the gap with their game in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score and who scored?
A: Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0. Raphinha scored both goals in the 70th and 86th minutes.
Q: Why was this match special for Pedri?
A: He became the youngest Barcelona player to reach 150 La Liga games, at 23 years and 18 days.
Q: How did the match flow?
A: Barcelona dominated the ball and shots, but Osasuna defended deep. Late quality settled it.
Q: Were there any big referee decisions?
A: A Ferran Torres header in the 23rd minute was disallowed for offside in the buildup.
Q: Who stood out besides Raphinha and Pedri?
A: Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera made several top saves and kept the game tight for 70 minutes.
Conclusion
Tonight was about nerve and know-how. Barcelona blended academy calm with a veteran’s edge and broke a stubborn game with two clean strikes. Raphinha’s brace was the spark. Pedri’s milestone was the story within the story. The win strengthens the lead and the belief. The title race just felt the thump of a giant’s stride. 🔵🔴
