Barcelona’s latest win over Osasuna wasn’t just another three points – it was a statement that this team is very much in control of the La Liga title race, and a Brazilian winger who has divided opinion just put himself front and center of the story.
Raphinha Steps Out Of The Shadows
Barcelona beat Osasuna
2–0 at Montjuïc, with
Raphinha scoring both goals to secure the club’s
seventh straight La Liga victory and stretch their lead at the top of the table.
The Brazilian, often criticized for inconsistency, was decisive on a night where Barça needed someone to cut through a stubborn Osasuna setup. According to the match report, Raphinha struck in each half, including a simple finish at the back post to seal the result and effectively end the contest.
Xavi’s Barça Find Their Groove
This win marks a critical point in Barcelona’s season. They have now:
-
Won seven league games in a row- Extended their cushion at the top of La Liga to
seven points over their closest chasers
- Recorded another
clean sheet in a run built on defensive control as much as attacking flair
Osasuna tried to frustrate Barcelona with a compact defensive block, but Barça largely controlled territory and tempo. Match reports describe a one-sided encounter in terms of possession and chances, even if the breakthrough took time to arrive.
How The Match Unfolded
First-Half Breakthrough
Barcelona pushed high from the opening whistle, with long spells in Osasuna’s half. The visitors defended deep, forcing Barça to circulate the ball patiently and look for overloads out wide.
The pressure finally told when Raphinha found space and converted to give Barcelona the lead before halftime, easing nerves around Montjuïc and forcing Osasuna to open up slightly after the break.
Second Goal, Same Scorer
In the second half, Osasuna briefly grew into the game but struggled to create clear chances. The decisive moment came when a cross from the left found Raphinha arriving at the back post for a straightforward finish – his
second of the night.
As Premier Sports’ highlight commentary put it, that goal “should be that for Barcelona… taking them seven points clear at the top.”
What This Means For Barcelona
This is not just about one win – it’s about momentum and identity.
- Barcelona are
on their best league run of the season, and doing it with a mix of patient control and timely individual quality.
- Raphinha’s brace strengthens his case for a bigger role in Xavi’s plans, especially with competition for wide positions intense.
- The seven-point gap at the top gives Barça some breathing room ahead of a congested winter calendar, where rotation and squad depth will be tested.
From a narrative standpoint, this match will likely be remembered as one of those “quietly crucial” nights – not a Clasico, not a dramatic comeback, just a professional home win that champions often look back on as part of the foundation of a title run.
Osasuna’s Perspective
Osasuna came in knowing a draw would already be a big result. Their game plan focused on:
- Staying compact in their own half
- Limiting space between the lines
- Hoping to nick something on the counter or from set pieces
For long spells, it looked like they might at least keep the game tight. But once the first goal went in, they struggled to build sustained pressure. Their lack of cutting edge in the final third ultimately made it a manageable night for Barça’s defense.
What To Watch Next
Looking ahead:
-
Raphinha’s role: Does this performance turn him into an automatic starter, or was it a one-off spike in form?
-
Xavi’s rotation: With a lead at the top, does he rest key players more, or push to keep the winning rhythm intact?
-
Title rivals’ response: A seven-point gap forces Real Madrid and others into must-win territory in their next fixtures.
For now, though, Barcelona have exactly what every title contender wants in December: form, confidence, and a scoreboard that backs up the feeling that things are clicking at the right time.
Sources
1. Raphinha double extends Barça's winning streak - YouTube
2. FC Barcelona News: 14 December 2025; Barça beat Osasuna to win seventh La Liga game in a row
3. Barcelona vs Osasuna, La Liga: Final Score 2-0, Raphinha scores brace as Barça cruise at home
4. Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna | LaLiga highlights - Sky Sports
