Ferran Torres scored twice, as Barcelona won their fourth consecutive league match, beating Osasuna to move up to third place in La Liga. we are talking about Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna Reaches The Third Place In The League.
After being thwarted to a goalless draw by Galatasaray in a Europa League last-16 meeting on Thursday, the Catalans took their frustrations out on Osasuna, scoring three goals in 30 minutes.
Torres scored his first goal of the night after Gavi was upended in the box, sending goalkeeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way from the penalty spot.
He increased their lead seven minutes later, racing through on goal after being picked out by Ousmane Dembele’s superbly weighted cross and putting the ball between the legs of the helpless goalkeeper.
As the game came to a close in the 27th minute, Dembele’s whipped ball to the near post was poked home by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who now has five goals in his last six La Liga appearances.
Even though replacement Riqui Puig – with a wonderful solo effort – made it four in the 75th minute, Osasuna were allowing chances by the bucketload. However, they tightened up after the half and kept Barca from racking up the astronomical score they had threatened early on.
Barcelona has moved ahead of Atletico Madrid and Real Betis into third place, having drawn to within five points of Sevilla in second place, whom they have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Osasuna is still in 11th place.
Torres showed his merciless side
Torres’ confidence appeared to be broken after leaving the field in tears at the end of a 1-1 draw with Napoli last month after missing a number of chances. However, for such a young player, he has shown incredible spirit, rebounding back with a goal in a recent 2-1 win over Elche, and the former Manchester City forward reminded us of his skills in a vicious seven-minute run in the first half tonight.
“We have to believe in Ferran Torres; it’s a matter of giving him time and faith,” Xavi remarked after the Napoli game. The Barcelona manager has shown that he is willing to be patient with the 22-year-old, and if Torres can put in continuous performances like this, his loyalty and belief will have been rewarded.
Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona): Man of the Match
The France international was at his best, and he’s unbeatable when he’s at his best. With direct running, skill and pace, coupled by constant precision crosses, he generated endless opportunities for his team mates.
Key stats
- With Riqui Puig’s goal against Osasuna, Barcelona has 22 different goal scorers in La Liga this season, the most of any team in a 21st-century La Liga campaign (Real Madrid had 21 in 2019-20).
- After Samuel Eto’o in 2004 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored five goals in six LaLiga games, making him the second-fastest Barcelona player to reach five goals in the championship in the twenty-first century (five goals in five appearances).
