Raphinha’s Brace Powers Barcelona to a Convincing Finish as LaLiga Leaders in 2025

Barcelona closed out 2025 with authority at the Spotify Camp Nou, defeating Osasuna 2–0 to cement their place at the top of LaLiga. The visitors held firm for nearly 70 minutes, but Raphinha finally broke the deadlock with a trademark left-footed strike, setting the tone for a composed and decisive finish from Hansi Flick’s side.

From kickoff, Barcelona dictated possession and tempo, probing patiently against an Osasuna back five designed to frustrate. The Blaugrana mixed long-range efforts with quick combinations and repeated one-on-one threats from Lamine Yamal. A razor-thin offside call denied Ferran Torres before the break, keeping the contest level despite Barcelona’s territorial control.

After halftime, the hosts raised the intensity. Yamal repeatedly stretched the defense down the right flank, while Pedri took command in midfield. The breakthrough arrived when Raphinha unleashed a driven, angled shot from outside the box to make it 1–0, igniting the Camp Nou and forcing Osasuna to abandon their compact shape.

As Osasuna pushed higher in search of an equalizer, they found little joy against a well-organized Barcelona back line, with goalkeeper Joan García largely untroubled. Raphinha nearly added another moments earlier, and then capitalized on a rebound inside the area late on to seal the 2–0. The Brazilian winger was the standout performer, delivering a brace that reflected Barcelona’s persistence, precision, and attacking quality.

Beyond the goals, Barcelona showcased collective solutions, defensive balance, and the ability to accelerate at the right moments—hallmarks Flick has emphasized throughout the campaign. Ending the year atop LaLiga, Barcelona send a clear message to their rivals: dislodging the league leaders in the second half of the season will be anything but easy.