\n
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) \u2014 Rafinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Osasuna 2-0 on Saturday to extend its lead in La Liga and put more pressure on embattled Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian forward broke the deadlock in the 70th minute at the Camp Nou with a shot from the top of the area. He then scored from close range with six minutes left to put the result in doubt.<\/p>\n
Seven successive league wins left the defending champions seven points behind Real Madrid ahead of Sunday’s game against Alaves. That’s probably Must-win game for Alonso<\/span> The powerhouse nation has only won two of their last eight matches across all competitions.<\/p>\nMadrid won the Clasico in late October and led Barcelona by five points in the Spanish league. However, his form deteriorated significantly, winning just one out of five matches, including a humiliating loss. Lost 0-2 to Celta Vigo<\/span> Madrid were upset at home last weekend.<\/p>\nDelighted by the plight of Barcelona’s top rivals, the Camp Nou crowd chanted “Stay Xavi! Stay Xavi!” in Spanish at one point during the Osasuna game.<\/p>\n
However, Rafinha remained focused on the team.<\/p>\n
“We need to focus on ourselves. If we do our job, we don’t have to worry about anyone else,” Rafinha said. \u201cWe are playing better than before and the more points we score, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rafinha became the key to Barcelona Won La Liga and Copa del Rey<\/span> Last season, Hansi Flick’s team also reached the Champions League semi-finals.<\/p>\nWith Rafinha sidelined for six weeks with a foot injury earlier this season, Barcelona struggled to replace his speed and sharpness. but he has I’m back stronger than ever<\/span>. He also provided an assist in a 3-1 win against Alaves in late November and scored a goal in a 3-1 win against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid earlier this month.<\/p>\nOsasuna, in 16th place, achieved little in attack, but their defense and goalkeeper Sergio Herrera frustrated Barcelona until Rafinha scored. Marcus Rashford’s shot on goal was blocked by a defender, while Lamine Yamal’s shot was saved by Herrera.<\/p>\n
Rafinha’s first goal came after Barcelona had recovered the ball and Pedri Gonz\u00e1lez led a counter-attack before coming on as a substitute and scoring from distance. The second point was easier. Rafinha was freed for a tap-in after Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena redirected a cross from Jules Kounde to the far post.<\/p>\n
Griezmann scores again for Atl\u00e9tico<\/h2>\n
Antoine Griezmann scored the winning goal after coming on as a substitute as fourth-placed Atl\u00e9tico defeated Valencia 2-1 and maintained a nine-point difference over Barcelona.<\/p>\n
Griezmann replaced Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez with 30 minutes remaining, and Atl\u00e9tico took the lead in the 17th when Koke Resurreci\u00f3n scored from a rebound.<\/p>\n
Lucas Beltr\u00e1n equalized for the visitors in the 63rd minute with a shot from outside the area, the Argentine striker evading a defender and firing a long shot that hit the post.<\/p>\n
Griezmann regained the lead in the 74th inning at the Metropolitano Stadium, using exquisite control to hook a long ball with the tip of his boot and fire the winning shot.<\/p>\n
Griezmann, 34, has had a limited role at Atletico this season but has still proven to be a decisive force. Former French star player scored 2 goals<\/span> He came on as a substitute in last month’s 3-1 win against Levante, and also came on in the second half against Sevilla and Real Madrid, scoring a goal.<\/p>\nWith the win against Valencia, Atl\u00e9tico’s total goal tally increased to 204.<\/p>\n
Valencia’s loss leaves the team in 17th place, just outside the relegation zone, and will put even more pressure on coach Carlos Corberan.<\/p>\n
Espanyol continues to surprise<\/h2>\n
Leandro Cabrera’s header helped Espanyol beat Getafe 1-0 away, securing their fourth consecutive league win.<\/p>\n
Espanyol are the surprise of the season heading into the winter break. The Barcelona-based team narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, sitting fifth after 16 matches.<\/p>\n
Mallorca also defeated Elche 3-1. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Elche keeper I\u00f1aki Pe\u00f1a passed the ball to Mallorca’s Omar Mascarer, who fired the ball from near midfield over Pe\u00f1a’s head to score the winning goal in the 82nd minute.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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