Today's La Liga: Raphinha Double Wins Barcelona, Real Madrid Under Huge Pressure

Barcelona maintains momentum in their pursuit of the 2025/26 Spanish League title. The 2-0 victory over Osasuna in week 16 at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday early morning WIB extended Blaugrana's lead over their eternal rivals, Real Madrid.

Raphinha's two second-half goals proved decisive in this match. The result solidified Barcelona's position at the top of the LaLiga standings with 43 points, widening the gap to seven points over Real Madrid, who will visit Deportivo Alaves' home ground on Monday, December 15 at 03:00 WIB.

With Madrid yet to play this week's match, the victory over Osasuna served as a strong statement from Barcelona in maintaining control of the title race.

Blaugrana's consistency in the first half of the season now places the pressure entirely on the Los Blancos camp.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick deployed Ferran Torres as the spearhead supported by Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal on the wings, with Raphinha operating as an attacking midfielder. This lineup made Barcelona appear aggressive from the opening minutes.

The home team's dominance was immediately apparent. Barcelona thought they'd taken the lead through Ferran Torres' header from a corner, but the goal was disallowed after VAR identified an offside position in the buildup.

Blaugrana's pressure didn't relent. In the 40th minute, Ferran Torres nearly scored a spectacular bicycle kick from the rebound of Lamine Yamal's blocked shot, but the effort went wide.

After halftime, Barcelona created another chance through Marcus Rashford's close-range free kick, but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera produced a brilliant save.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Raphinha unleashed a long-range strike from outside the penalty area that Herrera couldn't stop, giving Barcelona a 1-0 lead before their supporters.

The goal further intensified Barcelona's play. Though Osasuna tried to escape the pressure, Blaugrana's midfield maintained control of the match tempo.

Towards the end of the game, Raphinha found the scoresheet again, poking home the rebound from an Osasuna defender's clearance to double Barcelona's advantage in the 86th minute.

No further goals were added before the final whistle. Barcelona closed the match with a 2-0 victory, securing three crucial points in the battle for the top spot.

Meanwhile, this result leaves Osasuna in 16th position with 15 points.