Barcelona defeated Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday, led by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, to their first victory in four La Liga games. With two more games to go, the Catalans’ resounding victory puts them four points clear of Real Madrid in second place with 37 points at the top of the league standings. When they visit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish and European winners will have the opportunity to reduce that deficit to one point. Mallorca is currently two points behind Bilbao for the final Champions League slot, and they remain sixth in La Liga.
After an evenly matched first half, Barcelona took the lead thanks to Ferran Torres, but Vedat Muriqi responded to tie the score.
subsequently, when the away team went into overdrive, Raphinha and Yamal lit up the second half. The Brazilian scored twice, while Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor subsequently added goals.
“We were aware of how crucial another victory was. Something has been absent from the previous three games. Although we didn’t play our greatest game today, we were good,” Barcelona captain Raphinha told Movistar, adding that victory was what mattered most.
Yamal, a young sensation who began the game after overcoming an ankle injury, gave Barcelona a lift.
Yamal missed two league games, and Hansi Flick’s team lost to Las Palmas at home last time when he was barely well enough to start as a substitute.
In the 12th minute, the hosts gave Barca the lead when a frantic defensive play gave Torres a fantastic opportunity when there didn’t appear to be any danger.
Full-back Johan Mojica made the snap decision to attempt to lash the ball away as three Majorcan defenders shepherded it back to their goalie. However, he smashed the ball straight into Antonio Raillo, who promptly scored the first goal.
When Mallorca attempted to spring their attackers with passes over the top, they were repeatedly caught off guard by the Catalans’ high defensive line.
Though the visitors were still a threat on the counter with to their quick-footed attacking trio of Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Torres, Mallorca was beginning to put pressure on Barcelona.
Neither team appeared to be far from scoring a second goal in the game, and the home team accomplished it in the 43rd minute.
Pablo Maffeo perfectly timed his run onto Sergi Darder’s pass, then sent the ball across to Muriqi to tap into an open net since Inigo Martinez was deeper than the rest of the Barcelona line.
‘Give everything’ – Goalkeeper Leo Roman saved Raillo from a bad back-header by denying Raphinha a one-on-one after another defensive blunder almost put the visitors back ahead just before halftime.
Early in the second half, the Mallorca goalie stopped the Brazilian once more by knocking out a dazzling free-kick from close range.
However, Raphinha’s penalty in the 56th minute, barely beyond of the Spaniard’s reach, made it third time fortunate for him in his clash with Roman.
Mojica hauled down the returning Yamal inside the box as he sprinted onto Olmo’s through-ball, earning the spot-kick for his sheer speed.
Yamal’s absence caused Barcelona to struggle creatively, but seconds later, the 17-year-old showed off his skills once more when a brilliant backheel generated a chance out of nothing, but Pedri’s attempt was blocked.
With 14 minutes left, Raphinha scored a spectacular outside-of-the-foot cross from Yamal to secure the victory for Barcelona.
“I’m having the time of my life, but I don’t want it to end. I have a lot more in mind for this crest. I have a deep affection for this club. “I’ll give it my all on the field,” Raphinha declared.
Winner of Euro 2024 Five minutes later, Yamal performed the same trick, this time seeing Victor’s forward run. Victor’s pass across goal was cut out, but only as far as the charging De Jong, who finished flawlessly.
Yamal had a fantastic second-half performance, but the stubborn Roman saved his dinked finish at the end.
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