Barca's brilliant wingers delivered when it really mattered as Hansi Flick's side returned to winning ways
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal's second-half brilliance helped Barcelona thump a spirited Mallorca side 5-1 in La Liga on Tuesday night.
The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute thanks to some comical defending from the hosts, and Ferran Torres – who came in for the rested Lewandowski – was on hand to take advantage.
Barcelona's high defensive line worked on multiple occasions but Mallorca finally beat the offside trap two minutes before the break when Vedat Muriqi made it 1-1.
In an end-to-end game, Yamal eased Barca's nerves when he won his side a penalty and Raphinha dispatched the subsequent spot-kick in the 56th minute.
The undaunted home team caused La Liga's leaders a number of scares but the game was put to bed when Yamal's stunning outside of the foot cross was tapped in by Raphinha 16 minutes from time.
The floodgates opened when Frenkie de Jong tapped in to make it 4-1 and then fellow substitute Pau Victor added some extra gloss to a scoreline that did not do Mallorca's display justice.
The result took Barca four points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid, who do have two games in hand, and snapped a three-match run without a win in La Liga.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Campo de Futbol de Son Moix…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Inaki Pena (8/10):
Made a great low save in the match's opening salvos and proved a tough nut to crack in a very open game.
Jules Kounde (7/10):
The France international was one of Barca's more solid defenders and he also got forward well.
Pau Cubarsi (7/10):
Went into the book early on for a clumsy challenge but looked a bit more competent as the game wore on.
Inigo Martinez (6/10):
Played Mallorca's attack onside for the home team's equaliser and was part of a defence that didn't look particularly secure.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Had it not been for Barca's sparkling attack, he and his team-mates could have been stretched further still. Not as dependable as usual.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Pedri (7/10):
Put in an energetic display but it still seems he needs more minutes after his belt following a long-term injury.
Marc Casado (7/10):
Came back from suspension with an industrious display in the centre of the park.
Dani Olmo (7/10):
The returning attacking midfielder pulled off plenty of nice tricks and flicks but didn't have that big an impact on the game.
Attack
Raphinha (9/10):
The Brazilian came up trumps yet again for Barcelona as he converted a well-placed penalty and then showed good positioning to grab a second of the night and 11th of the season.
Ferran Torres (7/10):
Started the game well with a scrappy goal but missed some big chances to extend Barca's advantage. This was a display of real ups and downs and while he did score, there are parts of the Spaniard's game that need ironing out – although more game time will certainly help.
Lamine Yamal (9/10):
Looked a bit sloppy on his return to the starting XI early on but went through the gears with a superb second-half display. He won his side a penalty, set up Raphinha's second, and played a big part in Barca's fourth. Didn't get the goal he deserved.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
The midfielder scored with one of his first touches of the game to put the match beyond doubt.
Pau Victor (7/10):
Was a handful when he came on and got a goal for his efforts.
Gavi (7/10):
Helped Barca's midfield really turn the screw.
Eric Garcia (7/10):
Looked sharp when introduced.
Fermin Lopez (N/A):
Had no time to make an impact.
Hansi Flick (8/10):
His team currently looks rather different from the side that destroyed Real Madrid in El Clasico in late October. Their high line was repeatedly exposed but they just about had enough to see off the counter-attacking Mallorca. Decided to rest veteran Lewandowski and that move just about paid off. Plus, his substitutes worked well.
