Raphinha’s Double Strike Propels Barcelona to Decisive Win, Ending Winless Streak

Raphinha, who joined Barcelona from Leeds in the summer of 2022, was instrumental in Barcelona’s decisive win against Mallorca, which concluded their three-game winless streak. The Brazil international scored two goals in the second half, propelling Hansi Flick’s team to a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga. After the teams were level at halftime, Raphinha scored his vital first goal in the 56th minute from a penalty kick, awarded after Lamine Yamal, making his return, was fouled inside the penalty area. Eighteen minutes later, the young Yamal delivered an exquisite cross to his captain using the outside of his foot, which Raphinha converted for his 11th league goal of the current season. Second-half entrants Frenkie De Jong and Pau Victor sealed the win by scoring two goals within five minutes, marking Barcelona’s stylish recovery from their Sunday defeat against Las Palmas. Despite top scorer Robert Lewandowski being on the bench, Flick’s choice to include Torres in the starting lineup proved successful when the former Manchester City forward put the visiting team ahead in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a significant defensive error. The home side equalized against the La Liga leaders just before halftime, as Samu Costa released Pablo Maffeo past Barcelona’s offside trap, and the right-back then set up Vedat Muriqi to score the leveling goal. Barcelona’s next fixture is an away match against Real Betis on Saturday, while Mallorca will travel to face Celta Vigo.