Category: Eurosport

Raphinha headed home a second-half winner as Barcelona overcame the 10 men of Las Palmas to draw back to five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

With El Clasico still to come, Madrid cannot afford to slip up when they face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Barcelona dominated the game and had 69% possession against Las Palmas but struggled to find a breakthrough until Raphinha’s 59th-minute winner, assisted by substitute Joao Felix.

Barcelona were aided by a red card for Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles who was sent off following a foul outside the box on a surging Raphinha.

The hosts hit the bar through Robert Lewandowski before the introduction of Joao Felix gave them extra impetus.

The Portuguese star provided a chipped assist for Raphinha’s headed goal before hitting the bar himself.

Barcelona have an unbeaten run dating back to January and the title race could take another turn if Madrid crumble under the pressure.

With El Clasico to come next month a couple of dropped points for Real would make La Liga very interesting.

Despite Xavi being banned from the dugout against Las Palmas the second half introduction of Joao Felix was enough to unlock a stubborn Las Palmas defence and the talented forward could yet have a say in the title race.

The creative midfielder seemed to be working on a different wavelength as some of his Barcelona team-mates.

Gundogan provided the skill needed to unlock the Las Palmas defence and it was only for poor finishing or off-side runs which prevented further goals.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Kounde 7, Cubarsi 7, Martinez 7, Cancelo 7, Roberto 7, Gundogan 8, Lopez 7, Yamal 7, Lewandowski 8, Raphinha 8

Subs Joao Felix 8, Romeu 7, Torres 7, Roque 7

Las Palmas: Valles 5, Alex Suarez 6, Coco 6, Marmol 6, Cardona 6, Marvin 7, Javier Monoz 6, Loiodice 6, Rodriguez 6, Haddadi 6, Ramirez 6

Subs: Campana 6, Cardona 6, Escandell 7, Moleiro 7, Ramirez 6

20 – Goal disallowed
Lewandowski runs onto a through ball before playing in Raphinha who scores. Raphinha was in an off-side position when the ball was initially played to Lewandowski but not when the pass came to him. Barcelona are not happy but the goal will not stand.

25 – Alvaro Valles shown red

Raphinha beats the off-side trap and races through only for goalkeeper Valles to come flying out and taking down the Barcelona forward.

35 – Off the bar

Cancelo whips a ball in for Lewandowski who connects with the ball off his shoulder and it clips the crossbar.

45+3 – Coco goes close

A rare Las Palmas break results in a free-kick which Coco strikes well and has the goalkeeper worried. However, his effort is inches wide of the post.

60 – Goal! Barcelona 1 Las Palmas 0 (Raphina)

Joao Felix is provider with a surging run followed by an excellent chipped ball right onto the head of Raphinha who heads past the goalkeeper.

79 – Off the bar

Joao Felix somehow finds the crossbar from a simple finish as Kounde crosses for Gundogan who puts it on a plate for the substitute. However, the forward sends his effort off the crossbar.

87 – Moleiro goes close

Moleiro gives Barcelona a fright cutting inside his marker then sending a vicious effort into the side-netting.

In Barcelona’s last 11 games they have scored 22 goals and recorded six clean sheets resulting in eight wins and no defeats.