Raphinha scored a brace to help Barcelona clinch a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Mallorca at San Moix.
After taking just one point from their last three La Liga matches, Barcelona knew that they needed to produce a response in their away clash against Mallorca.
Hansi Flick was vindicated in his decision to start Ferran Torres, with the Spain international pouncing on a defensive mix-up to open the scoring in the 12th minute.
The visitors looked set to take a narrow lead into the break until Vedat Muriqi netted a 42nd-minute equaliser to send the two sides into the break on level terms.
However, Raphinha managed to restore Barcelona's advantage before the hour mark, keeping his composure from the penalty spot to fire past Leo Roman after Lamine Yamal had been brought down by Johan Mojica in the box.
Yamal, who was making his first start since returning from injury, went on to provide the assist for Raphinha to grab his second and Barcelona's third, denting Mallorca's hopes of salvaging a positive result.
Barcelona then dashed any hopes of Mallorca mounting a fightback, with Frenkie De Jong and Pau Victor coming off the bench to add their name to the scoresheet, wrapping up their side's first league victory in a month.
The win has moved the Blaugrana four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who will look to respond in Wednesday's away game against Athletic Bilbao.
As for Mallorca, they remain in sixth position after suffering their third home defeat of the league season.
MALLORCA VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Torres goal vs. Mallorca (12th min, Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona)
Mallorca gift Barcelona a goal! 🎁
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
Ferran Torres profits from a defensive mix-up and finds the back of the net 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/0U5Q6rL6ow
Torres benefits from a mix-up in the Mallorca defence to open the scoring at Son Moix. Instead of waiting for his goalkeeper to collect the ball, Mojica opts to clear the ball away, only to fire it straight at Martin Valjent. The ball kindly deflected into Torres' path, allowing him to squeeze home his second La Liga goal of the season.
Muriqi goalvs. Barcelona (43rd min, Mallorca 1-1 Barcelona)
Mallorca are level. Samu Costa allows Sergi Darder's through-ball to run to Pablo Maffeo, who drives into the box before laying the ball off for Muriqi for a simple finish.
Raphinha goal vs. Barcelona (56rd min, Mallorca 1-2 Barcelona)
Barcelona take the lead! 🔵🔴
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
Lamine Yamal wins a penalty on his return to action and Raphinha tucks it away 🔥 pic.twitter.com/THb6gYPpcA
Barcelona restore their lead through the in-form Raphinha. The referee points to the penalty spot after Mojica fouls Yamal in the box. Raphinha assumes responsibility to drive his clinical spot-kick in the bottom corner to score his 10th goal of the season.
Raphinha goalvs. Barcelona (75th min, Mallorca 1-3 Barcelona)
What a ball by Lamine Yamal 😮💨
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
Special assist by the returning star to set up Raphinha for his second goal tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nECsvONE6e
Raphinha now has his 11th league goal of the campaign. Yamal produces an exquisite cross with the outside of his left foot to pick out the run of Raphinha, who opens his body up to steer the ball past Roman.
De Jong goal vs. Mallorca (80th min, Mallorca 1-4 Barcelona)
De Jong gets in on the act. The substitute pounces on a loose ball in the box to guide a first-time finish past the helpless Mallorca goalkeeper.
Victor goal vs. Mallorca (84th min, Mallorca 1-5 Barcelona)
Victory piles the misery on Mallorca. The 23-year-old comes off the bench to score his second goal of the season, turning the ball in from close range after being teed up by fellow substitute De Jong.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RAPHINHA
© Imago
Raphinha produced another impressive performance as he continues to enjoy his most successful season as a Barcelona player.
The Brazil international showcased his clinical nature in front of goal to score a brace in the commanding victory, meaning that he has now scored six goals in his last six league appearances.
Raphinha also created four chances in the contest, demonstrating that he is a creator as well as a goal scorer.
MALLORCA VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Mallorca 40%-60% Barcelona
Shots: Mallorca 6-20 Barcelona
Shots on target: Mallorca 1-9 Barcelona
Corners: Mallorca 2-5 Barcelona
Fouls: Mallorca 11-0 Barcelona
BEST STATS
5 - Barcelona are, along with Real Madrid, one of the two teams that have benefited most from errors from their opponents to score in @LaLigaEN 2024/25 (5).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 3, 2024
Benefit. pic.twitter.com/MnnF1jaj7L
10+ - Barcelona are the only team to have two different players with 10+ goals in Europe's top five leagues this season: Robert Lewandowski (15) and Raphinha (10).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 3, 2024
Punch. pic.twitter.com/cBqj4w3Y2E
WHAT NEXT?
After enjoying a successful trip to Mallorca, the Blaugrana will now turn their focus to Saturday's tricky away clash against Real Betis.
Meanwhile, Jagoba Arrasate's side will have to pick themselves up for Friday's trip to Balaidos for a meeting with Celta Vigo.
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