Barcelona 1-0 Valencia: Raphinha heads 10-man Liga leaders past relegation-haunted visitors

05.03.2023 - 20:31 eurosport.com

Barcelona held on with 10 men for the last half hour as Raphinha's goal gave them a 1-0 victory over second-bottom Valencia.

The former Leeds man made a diagonal run from the right flank to meet Sergio Busquets' perfect clipped ball over the defence with a header to put the hosts ahead on the 15-minute mark.

Ad Sloppy defending from Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen gave opportunities to equalise for Samuel Lino and Ilaix Moriba before the break but both spurned the chances.

Copa del ReyMilitao own goal gives Barcelona the advantage in fiery Copa del Rey semi-final02/03/2023 AT 19:31 Eight minutes into the second half the game should have been put beyond doubt but, after Jules Kounde's effort was blocked by Hugo Guillamon's arm, Ferran Torres' spot kick clipped the outside of Giorgi Mamardashvili's right-hand post.

Barcelona 1 Liga Ferran Torres Andreas Christensen Sergio Busquets Giorgi Mamardashvili Jules Kounde Samuel Lino Hugo Guillamón

Xavi Hernandez and his Barcelona side can take a decisive step towards winning La Liga on Sunday -- where a Clasico victory over Real Madrid would send them 12 points clear of the champions. The Catalans have not won the Spanish title since Ernesto Valverde was at the helm in 2019 and expanding the gap on their bitter rivals in second would virtually clinch it. Madrid won the first La Liga Clasico 3-1 in October but Xavi's side have vastly improved since then. The coach is desperate to win the league title to validate the team's growth, while for the club it would represent a swift return on their outlay last summer.

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BARCELONA : Barcelona's rock-solid defence will be put to the test as they look to take a big step closer to a first league title in four years with victory over rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico on Sunday.

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Xavi Hernandez's return to Barcelona as coach indicated a return to the club's flowing possession game he thrived in as a player, but his team has instead relied on a watertight defence as they close in on the Spanish title. Barcelona visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as they bid to preserve or even extend their nine point lead on Real Madrid, who host Espanyol Saturday -- in their last league matches before the Clasico at Camp Nou on March 19. The Catalans last lifted La Liga in 2019 and after heavy investment last summer, a need to produce instant results has influenced their approach.

Barcelona Beat Valencia, Move Nine Points Clear As Real Madrid Stumble

Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha's early header. The champions could not find a way through against Real Betis in an entertaining 0-0 draw later on at the Benito Villamarin. Brazilian winger Raphinha nodded Barca in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.

Raphinha header helps 10-man Barca to nervy Valencia win

BARCELONA: Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move 10 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha’s early header. The Brazilian winger nodded the Catalans in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.

European roundup: Raphinha gives 10-man Barcelona victory against Valencia

Brazilian winger Raphinha’s first-half header was enough to give Barcelona a narrow win over struggling Valencia at Camp Nou where the home side were reduced to 10 men for the last half=hour of the match in La Liga on Sunday.