After 90 difficult minutes, Barcelona defeated Osasuna 2-1 thanks to Kounde and Lewandowski in the fourth round of La Liga. Coach Xavi Hernandez’s team is currently still 2 points behind top team Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s start to this season was not as expected, they drew disappointingly in the opening match. The Catalan club’s two most recent victories against Cadiz and Villarreal were both unconvincing.
Kounde headed the opener for Barcelona (Photo: AP).
Marching to Osasuna’s field, Barcelona is determined to get all 3 points. Immediately after the opening whistle, Barcelona suffocated Osasuna and created countless scoring opportunities.
In the 2nd minute, Frenkie De Jong’s shot hit the post, then Lewandowski kicked in but the ball went out.
However, in injury time in the first half, Barcelona scored a goal to break the deadlock. Kounde headed home Gundogan’s corner kick to open the scoring.
Pressed on the field, Osasuna played quite calmly in the second half. The Navarra club tried to attack and they were rewarded with an equalizer from substitute Avila in the 76th minute.
Lewandowski scored a 2-1 victory for Barcelona on the penalty spot (Photo: AP).
Barcelona was deadlocked after being equalized, but the turning point of the match came in the final minutes. In the 84th minute, the referee awarded Barcelona a penalty after Catena fouled Lewandowski in the penalty area and also issued a red card to the Osasuna player.
On the 11m mark, Lewandowski made no mistakes to defeat Aitor Fernandez, sealing a 2-1 victory for Barcelona. Coach Xavi Hernandez’s team ranked 3rd in La Liga with 10 points/4 matches, 2 points behind top team Real Madrid.
Squad
Osasuna : Aitor Fernandez; Areso (Nacho Vidal 80′), Catena, Herrando, Juan Cruz; Pablo Ibanez (Moncayola 72′), Iker Munoz, Aimar Oroz; Ruben Garcia (Barja 61′), Raul Garcia (Budimir 62′), Jose Arnaiz (Avila 62′)
Goal: Avila (76′)
Barcelona : Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto (Cancelo 59′), Kounde, Christensen (Inigo Martinez 90′), Balde; De Jong, Romeu (Felix 80′), Gundogan; Yamal (Ferran Torres 59′), Lewandowski (Leaf 90′), Gavi
Goals: Kounde (45 + 1′), Lewandowski (85′-pen)
