MADRID: Robert Lewandowski was shown his first red card in nearly a decade and Gerard Pique was sent off from the bench in his last career match, but Raphinha scored late as Barcelona rallied to defeat Osasuna 2-1 and secure the Spanish league lead going into the World Cup break.
Lewandowski’s second career red card came in the first half of Tuesday’s victory, which left the Catalan club five points ahead of Real Madrid.
Madrid, which have a game in hand, endured their first league loss of the season, 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano on Monday. The defending champions will host relegation-threatened Cadiz on Thursday.
Pique was sent off for complaining to the referee following the halftime whistle. The veteran Spain defender had made Xavi Hernandez’s squad even though he bid farewell at the Camp Nou at the weekend after announcing his retirement from soccer.