Barcelona extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to seven points with a controlled 2–0 victory over CA Osasuna, bringing the visitors’ two-game winning streak to an end.

Faced with Osasuna’s ultra-defensive back five, Barcelona started brightly. A surging run from Alejandro Balde nearly created an opening for Ferran Torres, while Marcus Rashford appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty as the hosts asserted early dominance.

Despite Barcelona’s pressure, Osasuna fashioned the clearest chances in the opening stages. Ante Budimir twice found himself well placed in the box, but on both occasions his efforts were comfortably dealt with by Joan Garcia.

At the other end, Barcelona probed relentlessly from distance, with Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia all testing Sergio Herrera. Ferran Torres appeared to have broken the deadlock with a well-placed header, only for VAR to rule the goal out for an offside decision in the build-up. The frustration deepened just before the interval when Ferran’s acrobatic overhead kick drifted narrowly wide.

The hosts resumed with renewed intensity after the break. Herrera was forced into a full-stretch save to deny Rashford’s dangerous free-kick early in the second half, and moments later Victor Munoz carried the ball the length of the pitch before firing just wide from range.

Barcelona’s pressure remained constant beyond the hour mark, and the breakthrough finally arrived with 20 minutes remaining. Raphinha struck decisively to give the Catalans a deserved lead, lifting the tension inside the stadium.

Osasuna struggled to cope as Barcelona continued to dominate possession, with the visitors relying on sporadic counter-attacks. Herrera was again called into action to repel a powerful effort from Lamine Yamal, but he could do nothing soon after when an unmarked Raphinha tapped in at the far post to secure the points.

The win marked Barcelona’s eighth consecutive home victory, achieved across three different venues: Camp Nou, Estadi Lluís Companys and Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Osasuna, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat in five matches (W2, D2). They now find themselves level on points with Girona in the relegation zone following Girona’s victory over Real Sociedad on Friday night.