{"id":24901,"date":"2023-03-05T20:22:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T20:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/05\/raphinha-header-sends-barcelona-10-points-clear\/"},"modified":"2023-03-05T20:22:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T20:22:56","slug":"raphinha-header-sends-barcelona-10-points-clear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/05\/raphinha-header-sends-barcelona-10-points-clear\/","title":{"rendered":"Raphinha header sends Barcelona 10 points clear"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Raphinha
Raphinha has scored three headed goals for Barcelona in the league this season, having never done so for Rennes or Leeds
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Barcelona went 10 points clear at the top of La Liga for a few hours at least after beating struggling Valencia.<\/p>\n

Raphinha put Xavi\u2019s side into the lead with a header from Sergio Busquets\u2019 dinked ball over the top.<\/p>\n

They looked set to take control of the game when they won a penalty in the second half but Ferran Torres hit the post against his old team.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ansu Fati struck the woodwork a minute later and Barcelona ended with 10 men after Ronald Araujo was sent off.<\/p>\n

The Barca defender was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Hugo Duro, who was running on to Jules Kounde\u2019s poor header.<\/p>\n

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept his 18th clean sheet in 24 La Liga games this season and only had to make one save, keeping out Justin Kluivert\u2019s 20-yard strike with seconds left.<\/p>\n

Real Madrid can reduce the gap to seven points again when they visit\u00a0fifth-placed Real Betis at 20:00 GMT.<\/p>\n

Barcelona were without their three top scorers Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri through injury, while boss Xavi was watching from the stands as he served a touchline ban.<\/p>\n

Valencia remain in the relegation zone after the defeat.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n