Barcelona got a 2–0 victory over Osasuna yesterday. The first goal came from Raphinha in the 70th minute, breaking the goalless opening period, with Pedri providing the assist. The winger then sealed the win with a second goal in the 86th minute, tapping in from a Jules Koundé cutback.
Barcelona, who controlled 80% of possession and fired off 24 shots, had a comfortable time on the field, constantly applying pressure and limiting Osasuna’s attacking opportunities.
Although it was Raphinha who got on the scoresheet, it was Lamine Yamal who was awarded Man of the Match. The young forward delivered an all-around performance, creating three big chances, taking five shots, and completing key dribbles, despite Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera making several impressive saves.
The decision to award Yamal the Man of the Match sparked debate among fans, with many believing Raphinha deserved the recognition for his play in the match. One fan on X commented, “Raphinha does all the work, but little man here takes all the glory.”
In most matches, the Man of the Match award is decided based on overall impact rather than goals alone. Factors such as chance creation, dribbling, defensive work rate, influence on tempo, and consistency throughout the game are often considered alongside goals and assists, which explains why Yamal’s performance stood out to the decision-makers.
The win now extends Barcelona’s streak to five consecutive victories across all competitions under coach Hansi Flick, continuing their strong run of form.
