Soccer-Barcelona ease past Osasuna to go three points clear


Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Osasuna - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - March 27, 2025 FC Barcelona's Ferran Torres in action with Osasuna's Jorge Herrando REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) -Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the LaLiga with an easy 3-0 win over visitors Osasuna on Thursday which extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 games.

Forward Ferran Torres opened the scoring for the home side in the 11th minute with a first-touch effort from inside the six-yard box, connecting with Alejandro Balde's cross in a terrific team goal.

Dani Olmo extended the lead 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after he was fouled and Robert Lewandowski's close-range header wrapped up the win in the 77th minute.

Undefeated since late December, Barca are the only team in Europe's top-five league who have yet to lose in 2025. They have 63 points from 28 games with champions Real Madrid in second on 60 and Atletico third on 56 with 10 games to play.

"Every match is a final from now on and today wasn't different. We solved it quickly and soundly and that's the important thing. Three points and move on," Torres told reporters.

In a match originally postponed on March 8 due to the death of the Catalan club's doctor Carles Minarro Garcia, Barca manager Hansi Flick fielded a much-changed team due to absences caused by injuries and fitness of players returning from international duty.

Even with the likes of Lewandowski and Raphinha starting on the bench, however, Barca did not appear to miss a beat and comprehensively outplayed their rivals who did not manage a single shot on target.

Ten minutes after Torres opened the scoring, Pedri sent a long ball through the middle that Olmo took in his stride to beat the offside trap, but was tripped by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera as he attempted to round him.

Herrera made a brilliant save to deny Olmo's first effort from the spot, but the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken due to an Osasuna player entering the box before the kick was taken and the Spanish forward made no mistake wit his second attempt, firing it low to the goalkeeper's right.

Olmo was forced out of the game with what looked like a muscle injury, replaced by academy midfielder Fermin Lopez as Flick's side kept controlling possession and creating several chances mainly through teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

Torres almost extended their lead in the 38th minute, striking a free kick from the edge of the box off the crossbar and Barca wasted several good chances before Lewandowski headed home a Lopez cross from close range.

Osasuna are 14th in the standings.

(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed Osmond)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Soccer-Grateful Arteta says Champions League semifinal place is a big boost for Arsenal
Soccer-Bayern showed belief in brave comeback win over Real, Kompany says
Soccer-Bayern late late show sinks Real Madrid 6-4 in epic quarter-final
Soccer-Arsenal scrape past Sporting to reach Champions League semi-finals
US government shutdown has slowed World Cup security planning, homeland security official says
Soccer-France forward Ekitike to miss World Cup after rupturing Achilles tendon
Sosa’s the spice of Immigration when games get bland
Sabah centreback Peres could grab spotlight in Challenge Cup final
Soccer-Man United's Maguire to miss Chelsea trip after one-match ban for misconduct
Soccer-Everton mark Hillsborough anniversary with permanent memorial at new stadium

Others Also Read